Guide to the Rufus Anderson, Jr. Papers, 1814-1888, undated
Rufus Anderson, Jr. Papers, George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives, Bowdoin College Library, Brunswick, Maine
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Rufus Anderson, Jr. was born August 17, 1796, in North Yarmouth, Maine, to Rufus and Hannah (Parsons) Anderson. His father was a Congregational minister, author, and Bowdoin overseer. Rufus Jr. prepared for College at Bradford Academy in Massachusetts, and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1818, and from Andover Theological Seminary in 1822. Anderson served on the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions and was Foreign Secretary from 1832-1866; for his work, he visited the Mediterranean, India, and the Sandwich Islands. Anderson authored numerous books about foreign missions, lectured, received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Dartmouth (1836) and an honorary Doctor of Laws from Bowdoin (1868).
Rufus Anderson, Jr. married Eliza Hill in 1827, and they had five children. Anderson died in Boston, Massachusetts, on May 30, 1880.
Anderson's memoir and letters to his infant son, Henry Hill Anderson, comprise the bulk of the papers. Also includes Anderson's journal entry regarding the death of his father, a document concerning Anderson's service with the foreign missions, and printed memorials for Anderson and his wife. For related material see the journal kept while Anderson was a Bowdoin student, which is on microfilm in the George J. Mitchell Department of Special Collections & Archives.
Document regarding Anderson's service as Foreign Secretary and member of the Deputation to India, 1868 May 16
Journal entry by Anderson regarding the death of his father, with memorial enclosure, 1814
Letters from Rufus Anderson to his son, Henry Hill Anderson, 1828-1829 (1 vol.)
Memoir of Rufus Anderson with holograph additions, [187-?] (1 vol.)
Memorial for Eliza Hill Anderson [Mrs. Rufus Anderson], 1888
Memorial for Rufus Anderson, D.D., 1884