The D. Campbell Wyckoff papers

Collection

Identifier: SCM 291

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains biographical reports, correspondence, curriculum, course materials, and publications by D. Campbell Wyckoff and others. The bulk of the collection is of publications by Wyckoff and others, but also contains unpublished papers and talks, project reports, personal correspondence, and course notes.

Dates

1918 - 1993

Creator

Wyckoff, D. Campbell (DeWitte Campbell), 1918-2005 (Person)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no special restrictions to access of this collection. It may be examined by library patrons under the normal rules and conditions of Special Collections.

Biographical / Historical

DeWitte Campbell Wyckoff was born January 4, 1918 in Geneseo, NY. He attended New College and Columbia University’s Teachers College in 1935, an experimental school with out-of-the-ordinary curriculum, which included overseas travel and practical life experience. He transferred to New York University to complete his undergraduate studies in 1939. Guided by his former supervisors, he then began youth work from 1939 to 1947. During that time he also completed his graduate studies, which focused on John Dewey, and his Doctoral studies, which focused on Jonathan Edwards’ theories of knowledge and responsibility—both at NYU.

He began working as an assistant professor at NYU in 1947 and continued as full professor through 1954, when he became Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary. His three major publications came out of his time at PTS: The Task of Christian Education, The Gospel and Christian Education, and Theory and Design of Christian Education Curriculum. He later retired from PTS in 1983, but continued to publish and teach at various institutions as a visiting professor (TCU, TEDS, Scarritt College, Bethel Seminary, Talbot School of Theology). His work was largely influential, especially for his emphasis on the inseparability of theory and practice.

He died in Albuquerque, New Mexico April 5, 2005.

Extent

47.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

DeWitte Campbell Wyckoff was Thomas W. Synnott Professor of Christian Education at Princeton Theological Seminary. The collection contains his academic and professional papers, writings, and correspondence.

Arrangement

The papers are organized in 38 archival cartons and consist of Wyckoff's notes from courses taught at the Seminary, committee reports and correspondence from projects and agencies not directly related to Princeton Seminary (i.e. Lilly Project, United Presbyterian Church's Christian Education Survey), articles by Dr. Wyckoff, and biographical items.

The are arranged in the following series:

Biographical materials and various writings
Project Files and Curriculum Development
Course Notes
Miscellaneous Publications by Others
Miscellaneous Writings and Correspondence
Books by Others

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Wyckoff donated his papers to PTS Special Collections in multiple accessions between January 1985 and October 2003. The collection was organized in 1996. At that time materials were added, including a folder of works by Wyckoff from the Seminary's Office of Christian Education and biographical materials.

Related Materials

See also the following materials in Special Collections:

Freda A. Gardner papers

James E. Loder manuscript collection

Processing Information

The first six cartons of this collection were donated to the Seminary Library sometime between January of 1985 and September of 1986. An additional folder of materials (item 2:7) was later added to this collection on October 18, 1986. This collection remained in library storage until May 1996, when it was organized by Raymond D. Cannata. At that time additional items were added. In 2016, Joshua Wilder further organized the material for researchers, while maintaining its original order.