Abstract
Collection comprises organizational records and personal papers documenting Howard Kershner's involvement in the Christian Freedom Foundation, the American Friends Society, and several international children's relief agencies, including Save the Children,.
Dates
- 1939-1970
Creator
- Kershner, Howard Eldred, 1891-1990 (Person)
Conditions Governing Access note
Collection is open to the public. Collection must be used in Special Collections and University Archives Reading Room. Collection or parts of collection may be stored offsite. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives in advance of your visit to allow for transportation time.
Conditions Governing Use note
Property rights reside with Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries. Copyright resides with the creators of the documents or their heirs. All requests for permission to publish collection materials must be submitted to Special Collections and University Archives. The reader must also obtain permission of the copyright holder.
Biographical/Historical note
Howard Eldred Kershner (1891-1990) was an American economist, businessman, author, and children's welfare advocate. He was founder and president of the Christian Freedom Foundation and editor of its publication, Christian Economics, as well as an active member.
Kershner was born in Tescott, Kansas, on November 17, 1891, the son of Cora and Isaiah Kershner. He was educated at Fowler Friends Academy and Friends University in Wichita, Kansas, from he recceived a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1914. He later attended graduate school at Harvard University, specializing in economics.
From 1916 until 1918, he was editor and publisher of a small country newspaper, The Dodge City Daily Journal, in Dodge City, Kansas. In 1918, he became assistant to the chief of the newspaper section of the War Industries Board and was responsible for reducing by 15 per cent the amount of newsprint used by daily newspapers in the United States. In the twenty year period that followed, he was active in business as a real estate operator, builder, manufacturer of leather goods, and book publisher, and served on numerous committees in the Society of Friends.
In 1939, Dr. Kershner retired from business and became invovled with the welfar of the children in Europe who were victims of the war. During the years between 1939 and 1975, he held several posts.
In 1950, Dr. Kershner helped found the Christian Freedom Foundation, which was formed "to maintain a research staff and supply speakers for church and community groups and other organizations; and to employ radio, newspapers releases, and other media to further the understanding of economics on a nation-wide scale and in its relation to Christianity and Freedom." He served as its president until 1970, when he became chairman of the board, a position he held until 1974. He also founded and edited Christian Economics, the journalistic arm of the Christian Freedom Foundation. In addition, he is the author of at least seven books.
Kershner passed away in January, 1990.
Extent
73 linear feet (52 containers)
Language of Materials
English
Other Finding Aids
Paper finding aid with additional information is available in Special Collections & University Archives. Includes detailed index by correspondent name.
Other Finding Aids
See the Collective Name Index to the Research Collection of Conservative and Libertarian Studies for a cross-referenced index to names of correspondents in this collection, if any, and 37 related University of Oregon collections, including dates of correspondence. See index instructions on use.
General Physical Description note
44 record storage boxes, 3 photo boxes, 2 flat boxes and 3 oversize flat boxes.
Processing Information
Collection processed by staff.
This finding aid may be updated periodically to account for new acquisitions to the collection and/or revisions in arrangement and description.
- American Friends Service Committee
- Buckley, William F., Jr., 1925-2008
- Christian Freedom Foundation
- Church and social problems Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Cless, George H.
- Conservatism Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Conservative literature -- United States Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Genealogy Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Groseclose, Elgin Earl, 1899-1983
- Hall, Verna M.
- Howard, Irving E.
- International Commission for Child Refugees
- International relief Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Kaub, Verne Paul
- Peale, Norman Vincent, 1898-1993
- Photographic prints Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Photographs Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945
- Rumely, Edward A. (Edward Aloysius), 1882-1964
- Save the Children (U.S.)
- Society of Friends Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Society of Friends Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Sound recordings Subject Source: Art & Architecture Thesaurus
- Temporary Council on Food for Europe's Children
- UNICEF
- Watts, Vervon Orval, 1898-
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Children Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1939-1945 -- Civilian relief Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Howard E. Kershner Papers
- Status
- Preliminary Description
- Author
- Finding aid prepared by University of Oregon Libraries, Archivists' Toolkit Project Team
- Date
- 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Oregon Libraries, Special Collections and University Archives Repository
