Constantin Magnus Esbjörn papers

Collection

Identifier: MSS 13

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Constantin Magnus Esbjörn papers, 1868-1925 and undated, contains Esbjörn's personal papers, vital records, correspondence, notes, writings, and clippings. The collection is arranged into three series.

The Personal series, 1875-1922 and undated, includes several detailed accounts of Esbjörn's life, some of which are in English and some in Swedish. Also included are a speech that Esbjörn gave in 1876 to the Phrenoskosmian Society, a Letter of Dismission for Esbjörn and his first wife, Esbjörn's Baccalaureate Diploma, his certificate and license of marriage to his second wife Anna Sofia, a record of baptism for their daughter, several tax notices and a receipt for a clerical frock suit, advertisements for Steel Frame Buck Saws and a Jeweler, and three photographs: one of C.M. Esbjörn, one of his second wife Anna Sofia, and one of Esbjörn and three other sophomores attending Augustana at Paxton. This series also includes Lars Paul Esbjörn's estate records, death notice, and memoirs.

The Correspondence series consists of letters written to C.M. Esbjörn. The majority of the letters are in Swedish, but a number of them are in English or are translated into English. Included are letters from his brothers, mother, and father, as well as letters from other pastors and Augustana presidents and faculty.

The Notes series, 1877-1899 and undated, includes three notebooks, which are in Swedish but contain some English passages as well as translations, apparently comprising notes and sermons recorded by Esbjörn. Included in the series is a detailed description of the notebooks written by Conrad Bergendoff. Also included are loose notes on small pieces of paper, newspaper clippings pertinent to Esbjörn's work as a pastor and professor, two drafts of a sermon, and a draft of a proposal to the Augustana Synod suggesting that everyone has the right to vote for church council.

Dates

Creation: 1868-1925 and undated

Creator

Esbjörn, Constantin Magnus, 1858-1911 (Person)

Language of Materials

English and Swedish

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on the use of this collection.

Conditions Governing Use

Unpublished manuscripts are protected by copyright. Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from Augustana College Special Collections and the copyright holder.

Historical Note

Constantin Magnus Esbjörn (also spelled Esbjorn) was born in Princeton, Illinois, on 14 February 1858. He was born to Gustava and Lars Paul Esbjörn, the founding president of Augustana College. He traveled with his parents to Sweden in 1863, returning in 1873. C.M. Esbjörn attended Augustana College in Paxton, Illinois, and followed the college when it moved in 1875 to Rock Island, Illinois. He stayed with the college until 1877 when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree. Following his graduation from Augustana, Esbjörn became an Assistant Professor of Latin, Greek, and Swedish for Augustana College until 1880. He then taught at Philadelphia's Lutheran Seminary, and in 1883, he returned to Augustana College. At this time he married his first wife, Hilmore Elizabeth Swan, and became the Professor of Swedish for the college until 1890. In 1888, Esbjörn was ordained. In 1890, he moved to San Francisco, California, and was a pastor there until 1893 when he moved again, this time to Marshfield, Oregon. Esbjörn's wife died 27 January 1895. In 1897, he remarried to Anna Sofia Rasmusson, and their daughter, Hilmore Sofia, was born on 1 November of that year. The family moved to Kingsburg, California, and lived there until Esbjörn passed away on 25 November 1911.

Extent

1.2 Cubic Feet (/ 4 boxes)

Additional Description

Abstract

Constantin Magnus Esbjörn (also spelled Esbjorn) was born to Gustava and Lars Paul Esbjörn, the founding president of Augustana College, in 1858. C.M. Esbjörn attended Augustana College in Paxton, Illinois, and followed the college when it moved in 1875 to Rock Island, Illinois. Following his graduation from Augustana in 1877, Esbjörn taught at Augustana until 1880 and then again from 1883 to 1890, when he was ordained. He and his family moved frequently throughout the western United States until his death in 1911 The Constantin Magnus Esbjörn papers, 1868-1925 and undated, contains Esbjörn's personal papers, vital records, correspondence, notes, writings, and clippings.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Immediate source of acquisition unknown

Related Materials

MSS 1 Lars Paul Esbjörn and Esbjörn family papers MSS 14 Carl Linus Eugene Esbjörn papers.

Processing Information

Processed by Carrie J. Goodin, 2001. Revised by Emily Hughes Dominick, 2006. Updated by Helen Reinold, 2011. Revised by Atticus Garrison, October 2016.