The Heiko Oberman Papers comprised the personal and professional papers of Professor Dr. Heiko A. Oberman, a historian and theologian specializing in late Middle Ages and Reformation studies. The bulk of the material is correspondence and academic project files related to his professional life, and records related to his position as Director of the Center for Late Medieval and Reformation Studies, which he founded, at the University of Arizona.
Collection Number:
MS 576
Language:
Materials are in English.
Language:
Materials are in German.
Language:
Materials are in Dutch.
Repository:
University of Arizona Libraries, Special Collections
University of Arizona
PO Box 210055
Tucson, AZ 85721-0055
Phone: 520-621-6423
Fax: 520-621-9733
URL: http://speccoll.library.arizona.edu/
E-Mail: LBRY-askspcoll@email.arizona.edu
Biographical Note
Heiko Augustinus Oberman (1930-2001) was an acclaimed scholar and educator who made significant contributions to the study of the Reformation and late Medieval and Renaissance history. He was Regents Professor at the University of Arizona and recipient of the Heineken Prize for History in 1996, the highest award for the field.
Oberman was born in the city of Utrecht, the Netherlands on October 15, 1930. He graduated with a doctoral degree in Historical Theology from the University of Utrecht in 1957. He then joined the faculty at the Harvard Divinity School in Church History in 1958, where he was promoted quickly to full professor in 1963 and held the Winn Professor of Ecclesiastical History. Oberman left Harvard in 1966 for the University of Tübingen, in Germany where he was a chair in the Theology Department and later Director of the Institute for Late Middle Ages and Reformation Research. He was also an observer at the four sessions of the Second Vatican Council (Vatican II), 1962-1965.
In 1984 Oberman joined the History department at the University of Arizona and founded the Center for Late Medieval and Reformation Studies. Amongst his many accomplishments was launching the annual Town and Gown and Summer Lecture Series which drew upon Oberman's extensive network of colleagues and brought many of Europe and North America's leading scholars to Tucson.
Professor Oberman is a Fellow of the Medieval Academy of America, and Corresponding fellow of the British Academy of Arts and Sciences. He has received honorary degrees from Harvard University, the University of St. Louis and the University of Aberdeen, Scotland. In 1991 he was chosen as a member of the American Philosophical Society. He was author or editor of thirty books and some hundred articles. Oberman is particularly known for his prize-winning study The Harvest of Medieval Theology (Harvard University Press, 1963) and for his Luther: Man Between God and the Devil (English version, Yale University Press, 1982), for which he received the German Historischer Sachbuchpreis for "the most significant history book during the decade 1975-1985." Coincident with the diagnosis of his terminal illness, it was announced that a distinction for extraordinary representation of Dutch scholarship and culture would be conferred on Heiko Oberman by Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in April 2002.
Heiko Oberman passed away on April 22, 2001 from melanoma.
In 2010 Oberman’s extensive personal library was transferred to the University of Arizona Libraries. The collection, nearly 10,000 volumes, centers on the late Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and the Reformation.
Scope and Content Note
The Oberman Papers are predominately a correspondence collection related to a number of areas of his professional life including teaching, lecturing, preaching, extensive travels, his academic publishing and editorial work, and service with a variety of organizations. The collection ncludes information about projects, colleagues and academic affairs at Harvard University, the University of Tubingen and the University of Arizona. The materials are largely in the English language, but twenty percent of the collection, especially records earlier than 1985, are in German and Dutch.
Other formats include publications, ephemera, journals, media, and photographs. Some newspaper clippings and pamphlets are embedded with correspondence, publications, travel and project files and there are clippings collected topically including reviews of Oberman’s publications and publicity for events, awards, and news items. There is a small series of photographs that are reproductions of illustrations used in Oberman’s book Luther: Man Between God and the Devil and clippings. There are a number of audio recordings including lectures and notes on cassettes, microcassettes and reel to reel. There are also digital files on floppy disks (3 ½ and 5 ¼) and CD’s. The collection includes copies of Oberman’s publications, offprints, and a limited amount of publications from other authors.
The collection also includes correspondence related to Oberman collected by colleagues, especially Thomas A. Brady, Jr., of Stanford University, family members and friends, especially covering the years 2001-2005 following Oberman’s illness and death.
It is the responsibility of the user to obtain permission to publish
from the owner of the copyright (the institution, the creator of the record,
the author or his/her transferees, heirs, legates, or literary executors). The
user agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the Arizona Board of Regents for the
University of Arizona, its officers, employees, and agents from and against all
claims made by any person asserting that he or she is an owner of
copyright.
The General correspondence series is largely professional and work related, but some family and personal correspondence is mixed in. In many cases a copy of an outgoing response is affixed to the incoming letter. Below the alpha category are date ranges, for example for “B” correspondence folders are divided: 1984-1986, 1986-1991, 1991-1993, 1993-1995, and 1996-2001, these date ranges correspond to the original order of HAO’s files. Folders are organized as working files with the most recent material in the front.
Includes correspondence with publishers, editors and authors and includes manuscripts and reviews with facsimiles of outgoing correspondence attached. Organized alphabetically and chronologically. Oberman was the editor-in-chief of Studies in Medieval and Reformation Thought and Studies in the History of Christian Thought.
Project correspondence concerning the publication of HAO’s work, translation, rights and permissions and requests for reviews. Also includes administrative correspondence, financial and logistical information. Organized alphabetically by publishing house.
box
folder
7
7
Baker House, 2000-2001
7
8
Bohlau Verlag, 1990
7
9
Brill, 2002
7
10
Cambridge University Press, 1988-1995
7
11
Christianity Today, undated, 2003
7
12
Cornell University Press, 1987
7
13
Crossroad/Continuum, 1985, 1988, 2001
7
14
Doubleday, 1991-1994
7
15
Eerdmans, 1991-2005
7
16
Fortress Press, 1984-2004
7
17
Garland, 1993
7
18
de Gruyter, 1987-2001
7
19
Harvard University Press, 1986-2000
7
20
Instituto Italiano per gli Studi Filosofici, 1990
7
21
J. C. B. Mohr, Submissions, Contributions to the History of Biblical Exegesis (BGBE), 1992-1998
7
22
J. C. B. Mohr, Contributions to the History of Biblical Exegesis (BGBE), 1991-1997
7
23
J. C. B. Mohr, Paul Siebeck, 1986-1991
7
24
Labyrinth Press, 1985-1990
7
25
Newsweek, 1984
7
26
North Carolina Press, 1983, 1986
7
27
NRC Handelsblad, 1992
7
28
Oxford University Press, 1994, 1995
7
29
Past and Present, 1991
7
30
Princeton University Press, 1994
7
31
Quell Verlag, 1988
7
32
Siedler, Sternstunden der Christenheit, Europe’s De-Christianization, 1987-2001
7
33
Siedler Verlag, 1992-2001
7
34
Siedler Verlag, 1984-1991
7
35
Sigler Press, 1988-1991
7
36
Sixteenth Century Journal, 1988-2000
7
37
Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK), 1986-1993
7
38
Theologischer Verlag und Buchhandlungen (TVZ), 2000
7
39
Times Literary Supplement, 1984-1990
7
40
Ton Bolland (Amsterdam), 1986-1996
7
41
T & T Clark, 1985-1993
7
42
T & T Clark, Naples, 4 summer lectures, La Teologia della Riforma, 1989
Correspondence related to collaborative efforts, manuscripts, events, publications, conferences, and Festschrifts and Oberman’s major research projects. Organized alphabetically by project.
box
folder
8
1
Abington Press, Reformation textbook, 1986-1988
8
2
Cornelius Augustijn article, 1991
8
3
Bakhuizen van den Brink, library introduction, 1988
8
4
Brothers and Sisters of the New Devotion, preface, Paulist Press, 1987
8
5
Martin Bucer, essay, D. F. Wright, 1989
8
6
The Knowledge of God with Calvin and Barth, 1991
8
7
John Calvin: The Mystery of his Impact, 1991-1993
8
8
Calvin et ses Contemporains, Paris conference, 1995-1997
8
9
Cape, Reformation textbook, 1988
8
10
Casa Eranos, Augustine and Luther, 1987-1988
8
11
Classics of Western Spirituality Series, 1990
8
12
Contra Vanum, Roots and Ramifications, T & T Clark, 1988
Folders labeled by destination city and organized chronologically, includes correspondence, conference or event information, receipts and financial information. Organized chronologically.
Includes project files, correspondence and ephemera related to University of Arizona Department of Late Medieval and Reformation Studies events and community lectures and events in the greater Tucson area. Includes events such as Town and Gown, Summer Lecture Series and Tucson Literary Club. Organized chronologically.
box
folder
14
27
Ecumenism, Tucson Ecumenical Council, 1986
14
28
Medieval Renaissance and Reformation Committee, 1986-2001
14
29
Annual lecture, Krister and Brita Stendahl, 1987
14
30
Lecture, Martin Luther King: Free at Last, 1987
14
31
Lectures and sermons, Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church, Tucson, 1987
14
32
Summer lecture series, 1988
14
33
David Tracy, fund drive, fellowships for Late Medieval and Reformation Studies Department, 1988
14
34
Peter Brown, guest lecture, 1988
14
35
The Mean Student: You Haven’t Got a Prayer, Commencement, 1988
14
36
The Joy of History, President’s Club, luncheon address, 1988
14
37
Community Courses, 1988-1990
14
38
Humanities Seminar, Europe 1300-1600, 1988, 1992
14
39
Town and Gown invitation letters to members of the History Colloquium, formerly Home Study Group, 1988-1999
14
40
Annual Lecture, Martin Marty, 1989
14
41
Community Lectures, 1989
14
42
What is History? What is the Historian’s Role? PHI ALPHA THETA, 1989
14
43
Sir Geoffrey Elton, visit, 1989
14
44
John D. Kautz, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Tucson, 1989
14
45
Rev. Nelson and Rev. Lefebvre meeting, Phoenix, 1989
14
46
Preaching in America, Valley Presbyterian Church, 1989
Oberman’s lecture notes, syllabi, required readings, bibliographies, publications and class notes. Materials relate to Harvard University, The University of Tübingen and the University of Arizona. Organized chronologically.
box
folder
16
8
Luther, course notes, German, undated
16
9
Calvin, Harvard lecture course, 1950s
16
10
Reformation bibliographies, circa 1960-1980
16
11
Reading lists and bibliographies, 1962-1987
16
12
Conciliarism, seminar notes, German, 1954-1968
16
13
Syllabae, from many professors, 1965-1997
16
14
Harvard University, reading lists and syllabae, 1968-1981
16
15
Vrije Universiteit Bibliotheck, correspondence and catalog cards, 1977
16
16
University of Tübingen, Germany, Erasmus course, 1977
16
17
Church History 103A, lecture notes, circa 1980
16
18
Reformation bibliographies, circa 1980
16
19
University of Tübingen, 1980-1983
16
20
Calvin: Leben, Werk und Wirkung, Tübingen seminar, 1983-1984
16
21
History 495G: Forerunners of the Reformation, 1984
16
22
History 696F: Early Modern Europe, Doctoral Seminar, undated
16
23
History 409: The Reformation, lecture notes, 1985
16
24
History 409, lecture, transparencies, 1985, 1989
16
25
History 409/509, The Reformation, class outline, required reading, 1985-1995
16
26
History 102: Western Civilization, 1986
16
27
History 409: Reformation, 1987
box
folder
17
1
History of Christianity, notes, 1987-1993
17
2
Medieval Intellectual History, Harvard and U of A History 407, 1988, 1989, 1990
17
3
History 407/507B Medieval Intellectual History, 1990, 1994
17
4
History 195A: Debates with Historians, 1993
17
5
History 596F: Early Modern Europe, Doctoral Seminar, 1993
17
6
History 396H: Regents undergrad honors, 1993
17
7
History 101: Western Civilization, 1996
17
8
History 101, Jon’s Notes Inc., 1995, 1996
17
9
History 407/507B: Medieval Intellectual History, 1998
Files related to Oberman’s personal library and management of his own publications. Includes: publication inventories, sales, distribution lists, financial documents, invoices and correspondence with publishers and book dealers.
box
folder
19
10
Book stocks (copies of HAO’s publications), 1991-1998
19
11
Offprints, distribution of HAO publications, 1986-1997
19
12
Book sales, HAO publications, 1990-1998
19
13
Calvin, distribution lists, 1988-1989
19
14
Luther, distribution and sales, 1990
19
15
Distribution lists, other HAO publications, 1981-1988, undated
19
16
Books ordered from publishers, 1988-1992
19
17
Books ordered from publishers (continued), 1988-1992
19
18
Books received from publishers, 1985-1990
19
19
Books received from publishers (continued), 1985-1990
19
20
Books received from publishers (continued), 1985-1990
Project files, drafts (bulk), and correspondence for Oberman’s major academic works including publications, manuscripts for lectures, research materials, work with publishers and other collaborative works. Organized chronologically.
box
folder
20
1
Luther and Thomas, undated
20
2
Luther and Zwingli, Madison, WI, undated
20
3
Toward Recovery of Historical Calvin: Redrawing the Map of Reformation in Europe, undated
20
4
Mysticism, German lecture notes, undated
20
5
Erasmus, NRC and Robert Holkot, notes, bibliography, Quodlibetal questions, undated
20
6
Jews, undated
20
7
Initia Calvini: Die Entwicklung Calvins als Reformator, German translation, undated
20
8
Clippings, 1970-2000
20
9
KG II, notes and research materials, German, circa 1975
20
10
KG II, SS73, notebook, German, circa 1975
20
11
KG II, notes and research materials, German, circa 1975
20
12
Geschichte Der Mystik, notes, German, circa 1975
20
13
Kreuzwege der Geistesgischichte, notes, German, circa 1975
20
14
Theologie Luthers, notes, German, 1976-1977
20
15
Warden und Wertung der Reformation, reviews, 1977-1978
20
16
Warden und Wertung der Reformation, thank you letters and reviews, 1977-1978
20
17
Sternstunden Der Christenheit, sections 3-8, German, 1978-1979
20
18
Sternstunden Der Christenheit, sections 4-6, German, circa 1978
20
19
Bürgerliche Geschichtsschreibung, notes and drafts, 1978, undated
20
20
KG III, Mystik, notes, 1980-1981
20
21
Civitas Dei, Corpus Christi, Congregatio Fidelium, possibly unpublished, 1985
20
22
Contracts, publishers, 1985-2001
20
23
Fortune, Faith and Females, St. Augustine, University of Arizona, 1986
20
24
The Stubborn Jews, English and German, 1986-1988
20
25
Teufelsdreck, translation, Chicago, 1986-1987
20
26
Central Policy Committee for Catholic Inst. Of Theological Education, Utrecht, 1986-1988
20
27
Calvin Book #1, The Heritage of Calvin, Kuyper Lectures, 1988-1989
20
28
Calvin’s Legacy, draft, 1990
20
29
Calvin (Major), English version, 1991-1996
20
30
Calvin’s Legacy: Its Greatness and Limitations, correspondence, 1987-1992
20
31
Calvin’s Legacy: Its Greatness and Limitations, correspondence, 1994-2008
20
32
Requests for articles, Trappman, 1990
box
folder
21
1
Luther, WS, notes, 1982-1983
21
2
Luther, typed notes, 1982
21
3
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, Yale University Press, 1985-1989
21
4
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, Yale University Press, 1989-1991
21
5
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, Yale University Press (continued), 1989-1991
21
6
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, extension for English edition, undated
21
7
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, index, style sheet, captions, undated
21
8
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, abbreviation and notes, undated
21
9
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, review draft, pp. 17-250, undated
21
10
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, reviewed draft, pp. 251-512, undated
21
11
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, reviewed draft, pp. 194-444, undated
21
12
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, illustrations, Yale University Press, 1989
21
13
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, illustrations, Yale University Press, 1989
21
14
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, illustrations, Yale University Press (continued), 1989
21
15
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, illustrations- positive transparencies, Yale University Press, 1989
21
16
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, illustrations- color portrait of Luther, Yale University Press, 1989
21
17
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, illustrations taken out, Yale University Press, 1989
21
18
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, translation by Eileen Walliser-Schwarzbart, heavily corrected by HAO, 1989
21
19
Luther: Man Between God and the Devil, translation by Eileen Walliser-Schwarzbart, heavily corrected by HAO (continued), 1989
21
20
Review of Michael Joyce’s book on Luther, 1987
21
21
Review of Michael Joyce’s book on Luther (continued), 1987
21
22
HAO Resumes and bibliographies, 1991-1996, undated
box
folder
22
1
Die Gelehrten die Verkehrten, multiple versions, 1987-1989
22
2
Pater Trapp, Festschrift, 1987-1991
22
3
Popular Response to Learned Culture, Harvard, 1987, 1988
22
4
Stubborn Jews, Italian, Caruci (Veronese), 1988
22
5
Stubborn Jews, Leo Baeck Institute, 1988-1990
22
6
Martin Anton Schmidt, Festschrift, 1988-1990
22
7
Initia Calvini: The Matrix of Calvin’s Reformation, 1990
22
8
Initia Calvini: The Matrix of Calvin’s Reformation, 1990-1992
22
9
The Discovery of Hebrew and the Discrimination of Jews, Gerald Strauss Festschrift, 1990-1991
22
10
Gottfried W. Locher, Festschrift, 1990-1993
22
11
Bibliotheca dissidentium, André Séguenny, 1991
22
12
Martin Brecht, Festschrift, 1991
22
13
Anticlericalism volume, preface, 1991
22
14
Europa Afflicta: The Reformation of the Refugees, 1991-1993
22
15
The Development of Anti-Semitism from the Middle Ages to Early Modern Times, 1992
22
16
The Pursuit of Happiness, Trinkaus Festschrift,
22
17
Johannes Reuchlin: From Jewish Subjugation to Liberation,
22
18
Dohna Festschrift, Darmstadt, 1993
22
19
Te Bolsec Controversy, foreward, 1993
22
20
The Trevail of Tolerance, Cambridge, 1994
22
21
East of Eden, 1994
22
22
Gansfort, Reuchlin and the ‘Obscure Men’, Meuthen Festschrift, 1993
Materials related to The Second Vatican Council (Vatican II). Predominately typed notes on Dutch Documentation Center (D0-C) letterhead containing Vatican II proceedings and supplementary materials organized by sections numbered 2-209. Also some clippings, news bulletins, publications and Oberman’s Vatican Passport.
box
folder
23
14
HAO’s Vatican passport, 1962
23
15
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 2-37, 1962-1965
23
16
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 40-64, 1962-1965
23
17
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 65-75, 1962-1965
23
18
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 76-88, 1962-1965
23
19
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 91-105, 1962-1965
23
20
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 106-134, 1962-1965
23
21
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 135-149, 1962-1965
box
folder
24
1
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 150-159, 1962-1965
24
2
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 211-230, 1962-1965
24
3
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 161-197, 1962-1965
24
4
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, No. 201-209, 1962-1965
24
5
D0-C, Vatican II, typed notes, Supplements, 1962-1965
24
6
Vatican II, News Bulletin, No. 39-41, 1965
24
7
The Ecumenist, journal, 1965, 1966, 1979
24
8
Vatican II, newspaper clippings, 1963
24
9
Vatican II, photocopies, newspaper clippings, 1963
Includes materials found in Oberman’s home office after his death including project files, publicity and clippings and personal effects. Contains obituaries and personal and family correspondence related to Oberman’s illness. Correspondence related to unfinished academic works with editor, publishers and colleagues.
box
folder
24
15
Driver’s license, Indonesia, 1950
24
16
Credos, six principles of teaching philosophy (developed by HAO), undated
24
17
Awards/Honors, 1949-2001
24
18
Berfungsangelegenheiten [Appeals], move from Harvard to Tubingen, 1965-1967
24
19
Notes found in home office postmortem, 1980-2000
24
20
Clippings, 1940s-1960s
24
21
Clippings, 1961
24
22
Clippings, 1982-1983
24
23
Clippings, Oberman with his families painting of Luther, Arizona Daily Star, 1984
Correspondence collected by Thomas A. Brady, Jr., History Professor at Stanford University and family friend. Includes professional correspondence from Oberman as Brady’s editor on behalf of Brill, and personal correspondence with Oberman and with family members after his death. Includes correspondence from Louise Betterton, staff member of the Department of Late Medieval and Reformation Studies at the University of Arizona.
Articles and offprints authored by Oberman, reviews of his work and a small collection of publications and clippings authored by others (some signed with a personal note). Organized chronologically.
