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James Gilmour Ranck Papers, 1923-1981
Finding Aid
Drew University Archives
36 Madison Avenue
Madison, NJ 07940
Phone: 973-408-3532
Fax: 973-408-3770
http://www.drew.edu/library/special-collections/university-archives
Also available in PDF.
Creator
Ranck, James G., 1911-1979
Title and Dates
James Gilmour Ranck Papers, 1923-1981
Abstract
James Gilmour Ranck (August 26, 1911-May 17, 1979) was a professor, clinical psychologist, and United Methodist minister with a specialization in the relationship between mental health and religious attitudes and beliefs. The James Gilmour Ranck Papers illustrate Ranck’s life, education, career, and impact on the fields of psychoanalysis and theology.
Size
2 linear feet (5 Boxes)
Location
Drew University Archives, Madison, NJ
Language of material
English
James Gilmour Ranck (August 26, 1911-May 17, 1979), married to Edna Ranck with two daughters, was a professor, clinical psychologist, and United Methodist minister with a specialization in the relationship between mental health and religious attitudes and beliefs. As an adjunct professor at Drew University between the years of 1955 and 1979, he taught courses which focused on the relationships and boundaries between modern theology and psychology, including Christian Thought and Dynamic Psychology, Christianity and Depth Psychology, The Healthy and the Pathological in Religion, Personality Development and Pastoral Psychology, Theological and Ethical Foundations of Psychology.
Born in China, Ranck came to live in the United States permanently in 1925. He received his A.B. in 1933 and B.D. in 1935 from Asbury College in Wilmore, Kentucky and his M.A in 1936 from the University of Kentucky in Lexington. His early ordination as a Methodist minister allowed him to preach at several Ohio churches in the 1930’s and 40’s. After receiving his first Ph.D. from Drew University in 1942, he served as a Chaplain in the U.S. Navy from 1943 to 1946. Before returning to the United States, Ranck studied at both Oxford University in England and the University of Zurich in Switzerland in 1946.
Ranck received his second Ph.D. from Columbia University in 1955. While conducting research for his dissertation between 1953 and 1955, Ranck created a survey which analyzed the connection between established psychological traits and religious beliefs among students at theological institutions. Seminaries across the United States took part in this survey, the subject of which became a major theme in his later writings, lectures and studies.
Ranck began his private practice as a clinical psychologist in 1955 with an office in Morristown, New Jersey. At this time he also held the position of pastor of the United Church of Christ Community Congregational Church in East Orange, New Jersey. He opened a second office for his psychology practice in Manhattan in 1967, working as a Clinical Associate in the Department of Clinical Psychology at Teacher’s College, Columbia University. He belonged to a number of organizations including the American Psychological Association, the Academy of Religion and Mental Health, and the American Academy of Psychotherapists. In 1974, Ranck took part in the Fifth International Forum for Psychoanalysis (IFPS) in Zurich, Switzerland, delivering the address "Religious Influences on the Individual, the Family and Society – Between Coercion and Freedom."
Ranck had numerous teaching positions throughout his life: Assistant Professor at Asbury College, 1935-1937; Professor of Religion at Stephens College in Columbia, MO, 1946-1950; Associate Professor of Guidance and Religion at Finch College in New York, 1951-1954; Adjunct Professor of Psychology and Religion at Drew University, 1955-1979; and as Faculty at the William Alanson White Institute of Psychiatry, New York, 1963-1979. Ranck was awarded the William S. Pilling Traveling Fellowship in Systematic Theology and Philosophy of Religion by Drew University and the U.S. Public Health Fellowship in Clinical Psychology by Columbia University.
Ranck’s writings include a chapter in The Minister’s Own Mental Health (1961) and contributions to The Church’s Educational Ministry (1965). He also was the subject of an interview originally published in Newsday republished worldwide, entitled “Eliminate the Negative.” At the time of his death in 1979, Ranck was engaged in preliminary research for a book entitled The Love Makers.
The James Gilmour Ranck Papers illustrate Ranck’s life, education, career, and impact on the fields of psychoanalysis and theology. Through his cooperation with various schools and clinics related to research in psychology and psychiatry, Ranck became an established authority within his field. His usage of various preexisting studies and surveys, including the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, and his creation of new designs for the study of religious belief and mental health posit the collection as a resource for modern psychoanalysts and theologians.
The papers contain academic papers, agendas and meeting minutes, bound thesis and dissertation papers, brochures, bulletins, certificates, correspondence, conference and seminar papers, data sheets, examinations, interviews, manuscripts, newspaper and magazine excerpts, photographs, publications, research materials, résumés, sermons, speeches, surveys, syllabi, and transcripts.
The James Gilmour Ranck Papers are organized into three series:
Series 1: Education and Early Career, 1923-1955
Series 2: Private Practice and Professorship, 1955-1981
Series 3: Personal, 1932-1979
Access
The James Gilmour Ranck Papers are open for research. Some material related to the Counseling Center, students, or other confidential information may be restricted.
Restrictions on Use and Copyright Information
One photocopy may be made of each document for the purpose of research. Permission to publish must be obtained from the Drew University Archivist. Researcher responsible for further copyright restrictions.
Related Archival Material
Ranck’s thesis for Drew Theological Seminary, The Problem of Tension and Conflict and the New Testament Solution (1942), is held in the Faculty/Alumni Collection.
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Michael Maziekien in 2006. Finding aid written by Michael Maziekien in 2006.
Descriptive Rules Used
Finding aid content follows the guidelines suggested by Describing Archives: A Content Standard.
Preferred Citation
Identification of specific item; Date (if known); James Gilmour Ranck Papers, Box and Folder Number; Drew University Archives, Madison, NJ.
Ranck, James G., 1911-1979
Columbia University
Drew University
International Forum for Psychoanalysis
Clinical Psychology
Mental Health
Methodism
Psychiatry
Psychology and Religion Research
Religion
Theology
Sermons
Series Description
The Education and Early Career series contains materials concerning the life of Ranck prior to his establishment of private practice as a psychologist and appointment as Adjunct Professor at Drew University. The bulk of the collection consists of academic papers (see appendix). The series also contains materials related to Ranck’s ordination as a Methodist preacher, sermons, correspondence, and academic and military transcripts.
Arrangement
College education folders arranged chronologically. Other subjects arranged alphabetically.
Box | Folder | Title | Date |
1 | 1 | Asbury Theological Seminary Papers | 1932-1935 |
1 | 2 | Asbury Theological Seminary Thesis Religious Education as a Factor in the Temperance Movement | 1935 |
1 | 3 | University of Kentucky Thesis The Christian Ethic in Relation the Problem of War | 1936 |
1 | 4 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | 1937 |
1 | 5 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | January 1938 |
1 | 6 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | February 1938 |
1 | 7 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | May 1938 |
1 | 8 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | September 1938-May 1939 |
2 | 1 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | June 1939 |
2 | 2 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | August 1939 |
2 | 3 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | December 1939 |
2 | 4 | Drew Theological Seminary Papers | 1940 |
2 | 5 | Columbia University Transcripts | 1950-1954 |
2 | 6 | Columbia University Research Paper | 1950 |
2 | 7 | Columbia University Annotated Text | 1953-1954 |
2 | 8 | Columbia University Survey | 1954 |
2 | 9 | Columbia University Notes on Colleges Participating in Survey | 1954 |
2 | 10 | Columbia University Dissertation and Abstract (Some Personality Correlates of Religious Attitude and Belief) | 1955 |
3 | 1 | General Correspondence | 1925-1927 |
3 | 2 | General Correspondence | 1934-1948 |
3 | 3 | General Correspondence | 1950-1954 |
3 | 4 | Preaching Certificates | 1923-1941 |
3 | 5 | Sermons | 1937-1938 |
3 | 6 | Sermons | 1939-1943 |
3 | 7 | U.S. Civil Service Commission – Transcripts | 1947-1951 |
Series Description
The Private Practice and Professorship series contains material from his private practice as a psychologist and as Adjunct Professor at Drew University. This series consists of handwritten and typed notes and correspondence regarding various speaking engagements, including sermons, lectures (see appendix), and speeches. Also included are certificates, research conducted with the Theological School Inventory Research Committee, and unpublished papers, including a unpublished book prospectus. Note: some material related to the Counseling Center, students, or other confidential information may be restricted.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box | Folder | Title | Date |
4 | 1 | Drew University Counseling Center Correspondence and Minutes | 1957-1978 |
4 | 2 | Drew University Counseling Center Psychological Test Results | 1954-1964 |
4 | 3 | Drew University Counseling Center Psychological Test Results | 1968-1979 |
4 | 4 | Drew University Faculty Correspondence | 1955-1977 |
4 | 5 | Drew University Syllabi and Exams | 1957-1978 |
4 | 6 | Drew University Student Papers and Evaluations | 1961-1979 |
4 | 7 | General Correspondence | 1959-1965 |
4 | 8 | General Correspondence | 1965-1979 |
4 | 9 | International Forum for Psychoanalysis – Lecture Notes, Correspondence and Brochures | 1974-1976 |
4 | 10 | License to Practice Psychology – Certificates and Correspondence | 1959-1981 |
5 | 1 | Newsday Article, Clippings and Correspondence | 1970-1977 |
5 | 2 | Papers and Outlines | 1955-1961 |
5 | 3 | Prospectus for Book The Love Makers, Notes | 1974-1977 |
5 | 4 | Speaking Engagements Notes, Correspondence and Brochures | 1955-1962 |
5 | 5 | Speaking Engagements Notes, Correspondence and Brochures | 1963-1967 |
5 | 6 | Speaking Engagements Notes, Correspondence and Brochures | 1968-1972 |
5 | 7 | Speaking Engagements Notes, Correspondence and Brochures | 1973-1978 |
5 | 8 | Theological School Inventory Research Committee Correspondence and Data Sheets | 1977-1978 |
Series Description
The Personal series contains materials of Ranck’s life, career path, and areas of expertise, including resumes, curricula vitae, brief biographical and autobiographical sketches, obituaries, photographs, and miscellaneous items.
Arrangement
Arranged alphabetically by subject.
Box | Folder | Title | Date |
5 | 9 | Biographical Materials | 1932-1979 |
5 | 10 | Miscellaneous | Undated |
5 | 11 | Photographs | Undated |
Chronological List of Academic Papers
Present Day Moral Responsibility of the Church
Death’s Kindness
The Meaning of God in Human Experience: an Examination of the Theistic Interpretation of William Ernest Hocking
The Incarnation of the Son of God: a Survey of the Testimony of Christian History
Francis Thompson: The Poet of God’s Presence
Notebook on the Writings of William Ernest Hocking
Notebook on the Writings of British Poets of the Nineteenth Century
Notebook for the Course on Aristotle
The Preacher’s Use of the New Testament
Excerpts from the Writings of the Leading English Men of Literature of the Nineteenth Century, Representative of their Basic Views Concerning the Practice of War, with Related Statements on International Relations and the Relations of Church and State.
The Mediator: His Work in Revelation
The Life and Writings of Boethius
Syllabus for a Study of the Medieval Mind
Personalism and its Philosophical Antecedents
Summary and Content on the Lysis: a Platonic dialogue on Friendship
Summary and Content on the Thaeatetus: a Platonic dialogue on Knowledge
Validation of a Test of Social Adjustment
Is the Moral Factor a Crucial Determinant of Anxiety?
Some Observations from Psychology
The Changing City and What It Does to People: A Challenge to Methodism