Born in Sri Lanka to American missionaries, Frank Knight Sanders taught Semitic languages at Yale College beginning in 1889 at was dean of YDS from 1901-1905. Sadly, "Sanders found himself consumed not by the pursuit of a visionary biblical studies center but by everyday administrative duties" (Waddle, 86). With the school in a "financial crisis," he resigned when caught in a dilemma between the Yale President, who favored beginning to charge students tuition, and YDS faculty, who were against it (84-85). Throughout his career he wrote various books, including one on the prophets still in print today.
The Divinity Archives' collection from Sanders includes letters, diaries, other writings, and various memorabilia.
Explore Record Group 122 (6 lin. ft., 13 boxes).
Marvin H. Pope spent over three decades (1949-1986) as a professor of Semitic Languages at YDS. During that time he worked on the translation committees of the Revised Standard Version (RSV) and the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible. He also wrote commentaries on Job and the Song of Songs, and specialized in Ugaritic poetry. A room in the YDS library is now named in his honor.
Much of the Divinity Archives' expansive collection on Pope focuses on his work, from correspondence to notes and writings, published and unpublished. It also includes classroom materials as well as personal memorabilia.
Explore Record Group 135 (75 lin. ft., 157 boxes).