Earl Bowman Marlatt papers

Earl B. Marlatt was born on May 24, 1892 in Columbus, Indiana. He and his twin brother, Ernest F. Marlatt, were the youngest of eight brothers and sisters, all of whom graduated from DePauw University. Marlatt taught school in Rushville and Raleigh, Indiana, was associate editor of a Kenosha, Wisconsin newspaper, and served in World War I before enrolling at the Boston University School of Theology. He earned an S.T.B. degree in 1923 and began teaching in the School of Theology that same year. In 1938, Dr. Marlatt began a seven-year tenure as dean of the school. In 1945, he accepted an endowed chair in philosophy and religion at Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University. He retired from that position in 1957. Marlatt was an internationally recognized authority and collector of church hymns. It was discovered by reading through this collection that it was his intent to establish a museum for his collection of hymns. In addition, Marlatt himself wrote the lyrics for a number of hymns. He served as president of both the Boston Browning Society and the Boston Author's Club and was named Poet Laureate of Indiana for 1970/71. He is the author of four books: Chapel Windows, which was published in 1924; Protestant Saints, which was published in 1928; Lands Away, which was published in 1944; and Cathedral, which was published in 1956.Dr. Marlatt established a very close friendship with poet Katherine Lee Bates who wrote America the Beautiful. They corresponded frequently during their friendship of five years (1924-1929) and many of these letters are part of this collection. Dr. Marlatt died on June 13, 1976 at his home in Winchester, Indiana. He was 84 years old.