White papers
Scope and Contents
Chiefly letters by White and her husband, Emmons E. White, relating to their work as missionaries in southeastern India, 1917-1957. The letters particularly underscore their interest in the education and care of children, famine relief, a hospital for lepers, Christian churches in the region and Tamil music. Also includes letters written by Ruth Parker White as a student at Mount Holyoke College, 1913-1917; letters to the Whites from relatives and friends, including their son, Robin; diaries, speeches and other writings; biographical material; memorabilia; and photographs. Some materials, including letters, in Tamil.
Material from this collection is available in an online digital format.
Dates
- Creation: 1908-1989
Conditions Governing Access
Unrestricted
Biographical Note
Ruth Esther Parker was born on September 30, 1895. She graduated from Grafton High School in 1912, and from Mount Holyoke College, in 1917. She married Emmons Eaton White, a missionary and Yale graduate, and they sailed to India in October of 1917 to work as missionaries. In 1934 they returned to the United States, and Emmons White became the Pastor for the Palmer Congregational Church. From 1920-1932, Ruth worked as the Superintendent of two boarding schools. In 1937 the Whites returned to India where they remained until 1959. They had three children while in India, and adopted a fourth much later. Ruth Parker White died on May 7, 1989, in Claremont, Massachusetts.
Extent
10 boxes (1917 Parker)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
White, Ruth Esther Parker, 1895-1989; Missionary. Mount Holyoke College graduate, 1917. Parts of the collection in Tamil. Papers consist of letters, speeches, writings, biographical information, memorabilia, and photographs. Primarily documenting her work with children in India and the social conditions of the country including famine and leper colonies.
Genre / Form
Geographic
- India -- Description and travel
- India -- Politics and Government -- 20th century
- India -- Religion
- India -- Social Conditions
- Tamil Nadu (India) -- Description and travel
Topical
- Clergy -- United States -- Biography
- Education -- India -- History -- Sources
- Family -- United States -- History
- Famines -- India
- Leprosy -- Hospitals -- India
- Marriage -- United States -- History -- Sources
- Missionaries -- India -- Biography
- Missionaries -- India -- Correspondence
- Mount Holyoke College -- History -- Sources
- Mount Holyoke College -- Student life -- 1913-1917
- Mount Holyoke College Manuscript Collections
- Music -- India
- Spouses of clergy -- United States -- Biography
- Tamil (Indic people)
- Transportation and travel
- Women -- Health and hygiene -- United States -- History
- Women missionaries -- India -- Biography
- World War, 1939-1945 -- India
- Title
- White papers, 1908-1989.
- Subtitle
- Finding Aid
- Status
- Edited Full Draft
- Date
- © 2004
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
- Sponsor
- Encoding funded by The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.
Repository Details
Part of the Mount Holyoke College Archives and Special Collections Repository
50 College Street
8 Dwight Hall
South Hadley MA 01075-6425 USA
413-538-3079
archives@mtholyoke.edu
