Ethan T. Colton papers
SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION
The Ethan T. Colton Papers consist of correspondence, writings, speeches, reports, and memoirs. Much of the material in the collection documents Colton’s work in Russia and with Russians from 1918 to 1925. A significant amount of material is related to his various writings on Russia, communism, international relations, and religion—topics that Colton wrote about throughout his life.
Dates
- 1889 - 1970
Creator
- Colton, Ethan T., 1872 (Person)
Language of Materials
The majority of the collection is in English; materials in Russian are indicated at the file level.
Conditions Governing Access
Open for use in the Elmer L. Andersen Library reading room.
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code). It is the user's responsibility to verify copyright ownership and to obtain all necessary permissions prior to the reproduction, publication, or other use of any portion of these materials. Researchers may quote from the collection under the fair use provision of the copyright law.
BIOGRAPHY OF ETHAN T. COLTON
Ethan T. Colton (1872-1970) was born on November 22, 1872 in Palmyra, Wisconsin. His family moved to South Dakota when he was eleven. He attended Dakota Wesleyan College and graduated in 1898.
In 1899 he began his YMCA career as a student secretary for the Illinois State Committee. In 1900 he joined the International Committee staff as the traveling student secretary in the Student Department.
In 1904 he became a secretary for the Foreign Department of the International Committee. From 1904-1917 one of his primary responsibilities was to get financial support for Foreign Work from local Associations. From 1918 to 1925 he organized and directed the war-time YMCA services in Russia and Siberia, worked with the Hoover American Relief Administration, and directed work with Russian refugees in Paris. From 1925 until 1932, he was Executive Secretary of the Foreign Department.
Following his retirement in 1932 he was elected to the International Committee. He served there until 1963. He came out of retirement from 1942 to 1946 to serve as the Executive Director of Y.M.C.A. War Prisoners’ Aid Services in the United States.
Toward the end of his professional YMCA career and during his retirement, Colton wrote books and lectured extensively on topics related to Russia, Europe, communism and international relations.
He died May 21, 1970 in Montclair, New Jersey.
Information taken from the collection.
Extent
3.2 Cubic Feet (8 boxes)
Abstract
Correspondence, writings, speeches, reports, and memoirs of Ethan T. Colton documenting his life and particularly his work in the YMCA as a Secretary in the Foreign Department from 1918-1925.
Processing Information
This collection was processed in 2009 as part of the fast processing project (FP169).
Catalog Record ID number:
- International relief. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- National Council of the Young Men’s Christian Associations of the United States of America. Foreign Division.
- Religion and culture -- Soviet Union. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- World War, 1914-1918 -- War work -- Young Men's Christian associations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young Men's Christian associations Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young Men's Christian associations -- Administration Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young Men's Christian associations -- Employees Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Young Men's Christian associations -- Soviet Union. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- ETHAN T. COLTON
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of his Papers
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Alex Bentley
- Date
- March 2022
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Collecting Area Details
Contact The Kautz Family YMCA Archives Collecting Area
