Fonds MS-2-153 - Alexander E. Kerr fonds

The epic of Norman McLeod : [manuscript] Tribute to the late H.A. Flemming : [manuscript] The legacy of Reverend Thomas McCulloch : [draft manuscript] Reverend James Ross, D.D., 1811-1886 The story of Reverend Norman McLeod : [draft manuscript] Parson drone : a sketch by Thomas McCulloch, retold by A.E. Kerr : [clippings]

Title and statement of responsibility area

Title proper

Alexander E. Kerr fonds

General material designation

  • Graphic material
  • Textual record

Parallel title

Other title information

Title statements of responsibility

Title notes

Level of description

Fonds

Reference code

MS-2-153

Edition area

Edition statement

Edition statement of responsibility

Class of material specific details area

Statement of scale (cartographic)

Statement of projection (cartographic)

Statement of coordinates (cartographic)

Statement of scale (architectural)

Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)

Dates of creation area

Date(s)

Physical description area

Physical description

52 cm of textual and graphic records
2 photographs

Publisher's series area

Title proper of publisher's series

Parallel titles of publisher's series

Other title information of publisher's series

Statement of responsibility relating to publisher's series

Numbering within publisher's series

Note on publisher's series

Archival description area

Name of creator

(1898-1974)

Biographical history

Alexander E. Kerr was the sixth president of Dalhousie University, serving from 1945-1963. Born in 1898 in Louisbourg, Nova Scotia, he served overseas with the Royal Air Force during World War One before completing a BA at Dalhousie and a diploma in theology from Pine Hill Divinity Hall. He was ordained in 1921 and completed his education at Union Seminary, from which he graduated magna cum laude.

Kerr served the church briefly in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and in Montreal before accepting a pastorate in Vancouver, where he spent five years, followed by ten years in Winnipeg. In 1939 he became principal and professor of systematic theology at Pine Hill. In 1945 Dr. Kerr was became the second Dalhousie graduate to be appointed president of his alma mater. During his tenure he declined nominations by the Maritime Conference, the Montreal-Ottawa Conference and the London Conference to become moderator of the General Council of the Church of Canada. In 1963, after retiring from the Dalhousie, Kerr became president of the Maritime Conference of the United Church of Canada and taught the Old Testament class at the Atlantic School of Theology (formerly Pine Hill).

Alexander Kerr was the only Canadian to receive an honorary doctorate of divinity at the 500th anniversary of the University of Glasgow. He held honorary degrees from most Maritime universities and the University of Winnipeg. He was a member of the North British Society and of the Canadian Mental Health Association, chairman of the building committee for the Abbie J. Lane Memorial Hospital, first honorary president of the Red Cross Society and honorary president of the Cape Breton Club. He died in Halifax on 30 November 1974 at the age of 76.

Custodial history

Records were accessioned by Dalhousie University Archives in 1972. The custodial history is unknown.

Scope and content

Fonds contains personal documents of Alexander E. Kerr, including sermons, notes, personal writings and essays, certificates and degrees, pamphlets, publications, newspaper clippings, two photographs, and minimal correspondence.

Notes area

Physical condition

Immediate source of acquisition

Arrangement

Language of material

  • English

Script of material

Language and script note

English

Location of originals

Availability of other formats

Restrictions on access

There are no access restrictions on these materials. All materials are open for research.

Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication

Materials do not circulate and must be used in the Archives and Special Collections Reading Room. Materials may be under copyright. Contact departmental staff for guidance on reproduction.

Finding aids

Generated finding aid

Associated materials

Accruals

Further accruals are not expected.

General note

Preferred citation: [Identification of item], Alexander E. Kerr fonds, MS-2-153, Box [box number], Folder [folder number], Dalhousie University Archives, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.

Alternative identifier(s)

Standard number area

Standard number

Access points

Name access points

Accession area