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Ethan T. Colton papers

 Collection
Identifier: Y.USA.106

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

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.

Related Materials

The following related materials are separately cataloged in the Kautz Family YMCA Archives:

YMCA biographical files

Records of YMCA international work in Russia and the Soviet Union and with Russians

Processing Information

This collection was processed in 2009 as part of the fast processing project (FP169).

Catalog Record ID number:

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

Contact:

612-625-3445