Miller, Rev. Kenneth Dexter, 1887-1968, Papers

Finding Aid

IHRC

Descriptive summary

PROVENANCE

Collection donated to the IHRC by Ethel A.P. Miller in 1979.

HISTORICAL SKETCH

The Rev. Kenneth Dexter Miller (1887-1968), a Presbyterian minister, was a leader in interdenominational efforts to make churches responsive to urban needs, especially the needs of ethnic minorities. Miller was educated at Princeton University and Union Theological Seminary, and then participated in a study program in Bohemia (1912-1913) to prepare him for work among Czech immigrants in the United States. While living in Bohemia, he became acquainted with Thomas Garrigue Masaryk, who later became president of Czechoslovakia. After his return to the United States, Miller directed the Jan Hus Neighborhood House in New York; worked for the YMCA War Work Council (1917-1919); marched across Siberia with Czech troops during World War I.; worked as part of the Presbyterian Board of Home Missions (1919-1928) assisting Slavic immigrants; traveled in Czechoslovakia and Eastern Europe; and served as Executive Secretary of the Presbytery of Detroit. He was a founding member of the Masaryk Institute of New York (1937); served as head of the New York Mission Society (1939-1955) and was European Director of the American Fund for Czechoslovak Refugees, Inc. until his retirement.

DESCRIPTION OF THE COLLECTION

Papers (1910-1969), of the Rev. Kenneth Dexter Miller (1887-1968) consist of correspondence; drafts, reviews and advertisements of his articles and books; memorabilia; personal journals; photographs; scrapbooks; and a stamp collection. The journals date from his time in Bohemia, and discuss religious attitudes of the Bohemians; and from his Siberian trek during World War I. Also included is correspondence of Miller's wife, Ethel P. Miller, with her college roommate, Mrs. O. K. Sherwin. Mrs. Miller's vita is also included.

ACCESS RESTRICTIONS

Selected files restricted. Please contact the IHRC Curator regarding access.

OWNERSHIP & LITERARY RIGHTS

The Miller, Rev. Kenneth Dexter, 1887-1968 collection is the physical property of the Immigration History Reseach Center, University of Minnesota.

For further information regrading the copyright, please contact the IHRC.

CITE AS

The Miller, Rev. Kenneth Dexter, 1887-1968 Papers, General/Multiethnic Collection, Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota

Index Terms

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