John M. Kelly Library Nouwen Archives: About the Archives
Scope of the Archives
The Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives and Research Collection contains the papers and writings of Henri J.M. Nouwen, a Catholic priest from the Netherlands. Over the course of his lifetime (1931-1996), Nouwen was a student, a chaplain, a professor (including teaching positions at the University of Notre Dame, Yale University, and Harvard University), and a spiritual and theological writer, writing 39 books and hundreds of articles. Nouwen also spent the last ten years of his life living and working at L’Arche Daybreak, a community in Richmond Hill, Ontario, for mentally handicapped individuals and their live-in helpers, called “assistants”.
The Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives and Research Collection is divided into 15 series:
General files
Personal records
Financial files
Nouwen’s education records and study notes
Ephemera and artifacts
Photographs
These series contain evidence of Nouwen’s life and work as a teacher, priest, confidant, lecturer, public speaker, and writer, among many other things.
Henri Nouwen initially donated much of his early documents, including letters written to him, manuscripts, financial records, and copies of his own published articles and books. These materials were stored at the Archives at the Yale Divinity School Library, and Nouwen approved the arrangement and description of his collection, as done by Martha Smalley, Head Archivist. The Yale materials were transferred to John M. Kelly Library in 2000. Also donated in 2000 were Nouwen’s papers and ephemera that were stored at L’Arche Daybreak following his death in 1996. The Research Collection includes materials relating to Henri Nouwen which were collected by the Archivists and other individuals with an interest in maintaining Nouwen’s legacy.
The Research Collection is divided into nine series:
Material by Nouwen
Material about Nouwen
Materials mentioning Nouwen
Reviews
Newsletters
Nouwen events, promotional material, programs and souvenirs
Publisher materials (ie. catalogues and advertisements featuring books by Nouwen)
Reference files
Audiovisual material
Included in the Research Collection are those letters and materials collected as a result of the Nouwen Letter Project. Together, the Archives and Research Collection serve to promote the lasting legacy of Nouwen’s writing, faith, and life.
Learn more about the Nouwen Archives with the Finding guide or with the online booklet.
Learn more about Henri Nouwen’s legacy at Henri Nouwen Society Website.
Mandate of the Archives
The Archives exists to:
Collect and preserve archival material created by and about Henri Nouwen. Collect and maintain a library of books, articles, interviews and other published material by and about Henri Nouwen, as well as reference material, artifacts and memorabilia that documents the life and work of Henri Nouwen. Arrange and describe materials according to archival principles and make them accessible to the general public on a regular basis, unless access is restricted. Provide adequate and appropriate conditions for the storage, protection, and preservation of archival material. Provide regular reference services to individuals, organizations, or other groups interested in the activities and holdings of the Archives. Provide educational and outreach programs whenever possible to increase public awareness and knowledge of the life and work of Henri J.M. Nouwen.
History of the Archives
The material in the Henri J.M. Nouwen Archives and Research Collection was donated to the John M. Kelly Library at the University of St Michael's College on January 19, 2000 by the Literary Executrix of Nouwen's estate, Sue Mosteller, C.S.J.. The donation included more than 124 linear feet of material from L'Arche Daybreak as well as 29 linear feet of material originally deposited by Nouwen at the Yale Divinity Library. The Archives and Research Collection was officially opened on September 21, 2000.
Contact Information
The Archives is located on the second floor of the John M. Kelly Library, University of St Michael's College, 113 St. Joseph Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 1J4. Click here for directions.
The Curator of the Archives is Gabrielle Earnshaw. She can be reached at:
Telephone: (416) 926 1300 x3405
Fax: (416) 926 7262
Email: specialcollections.kellylibrary@utoronto.ca
Hours of Operation
The archives is open Tuesday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m.-noon and 1:00-3:45 p.m. Please call ahead or email specialcollections.kellylibrary@utoronto.ca to make an appointment before your visit.
Donating Material to the Archives
The Archives actively pursues and accepts donation of material by or about Henri Nouwen. Letters, notes, audio and videocassettes, transcripts of talks, manuscripts and other material would be of great interest and value to the Archives. Please contact the Curator to discuss your interest further.