Ruth James Cording Papers
SC-43
Cording, Ruth James, 1911-
15 Boxes (7 linear feet)
1958-1994 (bulk:1961-1986)
Introduction
The Ruth James Cording Papers has two separate parts reflecting Ruth's position as first archivist for Wheaton College and her Welsh heritage.
Provenance: The papers of Ruth James Cording were given, by personal donation, to the Special Collections in the fall of 1992.
Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this collection. Duplication may be restricted if copying could cause damage to items.
Collection Description
The papers of Ruth James Cording bring together books, pamphlets, articles, newsclippings and memorabilia that illustrate Welsh language and literature. Correspondence with relatives and libraries in Wales, and numerous trips to Wales, have formed a dynamic stream of information about Wales.
The published material, mostly in English, or Welsh and English, is good sample of the breadth of Welsh literature. Poetry and the lyrics for music provide the biggest sampler of Welsh language. The newspaper, Y Drych - an American organ for the Welsh people - is a bridging instrument, and reports on the contemporary scene in Wales and America.
Music, and particularly the singing of hymns, continues to be a significant part of Welsh culture. Welsh song books come alive in the audio records of festival hymnsings, where thousands sing four-part harmony. A yearly festival, the Eisteddfod, is a competitive celebration of poetry, drama, and music.
Christianity came early to Wales, and they celebrate this in honoring St. David, on 1 March. Monasteries, those centers of discipleship, learning and hospitality, have been supplemented by chapels and contemporary churches. Revival has blessed Wales. All of this religious heritage is documented in many of the books and pamphlets in the Collection.
Artifacts always give substance to a Collection. Memorabilia, gathered on trips to Wales, create a visual bonding with an older culture. Maps, postcards, and stamps aid in a vicarious transport to another realm.
Biographical/Historical Sketch
Ruth James Cording, of Welsh and Irish descent, was born May 5, 1911 and grew up in Auburn, New York. Her paternal grandfather, Evan Thomas James, emigrated in 1866 from Wales to southern New York state. Her father, Edward L. James, a Baptist minister, received an honorary Doctor of Divinity from Wheaton College in 1930.
The Wheaton College connection continued with Ruth's graduation in 1933 with a major in Literature. She married Edward A. Cording, who retired as Director of the Conservatory of Music in 1970. They have three children, all of whom graduated from Wheaton College - Dr. Edward James Cording ('60), Robert Paul Cording ('62), and Margaret Cording Petty ('70).
Teaching and writing have been a large part of Mrs. Cording's life and ministry. She served Wheaton College as Special Instructor in Children's Literature (1958-60). She has authored and published the following: The Joy of Remembering Our Children (1984), The Joy of Remembering Our Guests (1982), The Joy of Remembering Special Friends: A Birthday Journal (1981), The Turquoise Bracelet (1959), and Glenn and Bill at Prospect Point (1953). She was also Feature Editor of the Wheaton Alumni magazine in the 70s.
In preparation for Wheaton College's Centennial in 1960, the Historical Project Committee, chaired by Dr. Kamm, was established. This resulted in the collection and preliminary inventory of some administrative records and memorabilia. In October 1962, the Executive Council re-established the position of College Archivist in the Library, and Ruth Cording was chosen for the staff position. It was during Ruth's tenure as Wheaton College Archivist, 1962-70, that her reconnection with, and love of Wales, was nurtured. Taking a Library Science course, under Miss Ivy Olson's instruction, Ruth chose "Wales" as reference topic. Since that time, there have been numerous trips to Wales, continued correspondence and collection of materials focused on Welsh language and literature.
Another part of the care and preservation of manuscripts, for Ruth Cording, came in her work with Dr. Clyde Kilby and his C. S. Lewis material. By 1965 this began to form a special collection, and ultimately became the Marion E. Wade Center, housed in the Nicholas building. From 1965 to 1985, Ruth assisted in the arrangement and description of of materials collected by the Marion E. Wade Center.
As the manuscript preservation of the College Archives expanded to include other collections, besides those in the Marion E. Wade Center, the need grew for a Special Collections Department of Buswell Library. Here the College Archives and Special Collections were to find a home. Ruth Cording assisted throughout this process, and has now become a donor of the Ruth James Cording Welsh Language and Literature Collection.
Ruth Cording died May 5, 2008, just shy of her 97th birthday.
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