Guide to the Edward D. Grant Papers

This is a collection of personal papers of Edward D. Grant documenting his work in Christian education and his philanthropic and business activities. The collection includes speeches and addresses delivered by Grant through the course of his career. Most are on religious and social topics, and many are addresses to bible study groups, church meetings, and other religious gatherings. The addresses were arranged by Grant according to a numerical system, which has been retained. Subject files include clippings, printed materials, and notes on various religious and social topics. Some files also contain information about particular events, such as the Madras Conference, 1938, and the General Assembly, 1969. Files on the National Council of Churches, 1954-1973, contain materials related to Grant’s service with the Board of the National Council of Churches. Included are board meeting minutes and reports; extensive correspondence, some arranged chronologically and some by the name of the correspondent; publications; clippings; and subject files.

Grant’s correspondence files are arranged into several series. Miscellaneous correspondence, 1948-1978, is arranged alphabetically by the name of the correspondent. The subject matter includes personal issues as well as business and church-related topics. Subject correspondence, 1938-1978, is arranged alphabetically by subject matter, mostly related to organizations and events with which Grant was involved. Some additional materials, such as minutes, reports, and financial statements of the organizations, are also in this series. Subjects include: American Leprosy Missions, Inc.; Austin Seminary; Blue Ridge Assembly; Christian Children’s Fund; First Presbyterian Church, Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Governor’s Prayer Breakfast; International Missionary Council, Madras; and the Kiwanis Club. Individual correspondence, 1923-1977, is arranged alphabetically. Personal correspondence, 1921-1962, is arranged alphabetically and is marked “personal.” Included in this series are letters written in response to Grant’s resignation as Secretary of the Board of Christian Education in 1952; and letters and telegrams of congratulation for his election as Moderator of the PCUS General Assembly in 1962. General correspondence, 1921-1977, is arranged chronologically. Most of the series is office correspondence concerning church-related matters and business matters of the Grant Chemical Company.

The series of PCUS files contains correspondence, reports, and printed materials related to Grant’s work within the PCUS. Included are files from his tenure as Secretary of Education and Promotion for the Executive Committee of Foreign Missions; and his membership on two ad interim committees of the General Assembly: the Committee on Children’s Homes, Hospitals, and Homes for the Aged, and the Committee on Mississippi Visitation. Louisiana Board of Institutions files contain records from Grant’s tenure as Director of the Louisiana Board of Institutions (later called the Board of Corrections), and document his work with the anti-corruption Ministerial Information Committee. Included are minutes, reports, publications, and correspondence. The Business Files series contains correspondence, reports, and miscellaneous files related to the work of the Grant Chemical Company.

Other materials in the collection include: Grant’s notebooks and papers from Peabody College, 1928-1929; various certificates and awards; newspaper clippings; miscellaneous notes; a memorial to Georgia Voyles Grant; certificates and diplomas awarded to Grant; a scrapbook from the Kiwanis Club of Richmond, 1946; an oral history with Grant conducted in 1983, which consists of 6 audiotapes and a transcript of the interview; and photographs of Grant with various individuals and organizations, 1930s-1970s.