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Wilson (John F.) Papers
0012
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Table of contents
Language of Material:
English
Contributing Institution:
Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Title: John F. Wilson Papers
Identifier/Call Number: 0012
Physical Description:
4.17 Linear Feet
(4 boxes)
Date: 1953-1998
Abstract: John F. Wilson is a field archaeologist, writer and lecturer on archaeology in the Middle East, and Professor of Religion,
Emeritus at Pepperdine University. The collection consists of printed materials related to Wilson's career, including correspondence,
date books, and publications authored by Wilson.
Physical Location: Pepperdine University. Special Collections and University Archives.
Language of Material: Materials are in English.
Advance notice required for access. Chronological files with material from Wilson's time as Dean of Seaver College are closed
for 25 years from their date of creation, beginning with the file for 1983. The entire series will be open in 2023.
Permission to publish, quote, or reproduce must be secured from the repository and the copyright holder.
[Box/folder# or item name], John F. Wilson papers, Collection no. 0012, Special Collections and University Archives, University
Libraries, Pepperdine University.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
The collection was donated by John F. Wilson in August 1998.
A new series, "Office of the Seaver Dean," was transferred to us by Dr. David Baird.
John F. Wilson is a field archaeologist, and writer and lecturer on archaeology in the Middle East, particularly focused on
the relationship between archaeology and Christianity.
Wilson attended Central Senior High School in Springfield, Missouri, where he graduated in 1955. While in school, he was
active in choir and musicals, as well as church and service extracurricular activities. He graduated from Harding University
in 1959 with a BA in Religion and Music (and served as the student body president), and then continued at Harding at the Graduate
School of Religion, where he received an MA in 1961. Wilson then went on to receive a PhD from the University of Iowa in
New Testament and Ancient History in 1967. After completing his degrees, Wilson returned to his hometown of Springfield,
Missouri, where he founded the Christian Student Center at Missouri State University as a branch of the South National Church
of Christ in Springfield. He served as the Director of the Student Center from 1959 to 1973, as well as a Professor of Religious
Studies at the University from 1961 to 1983. Wilson also was a visiting lecturer at Abilene Christian University from 1971
to 1976.
Wilson took his first archaelogical trip in the mid-1970s, and went on sabbatical in 1981 to Cambridge University, England,
to study notes taken from 19th century archaeological expeditions to the Holy Land. In 1983, Wilson came to Pepperdine University,
where he served as the Dean of the Seaver College of Letters, Arts and Sciences for 15 years. During this time, Wilson was
also a Professor of Religion at Pepperdine, as well as the Director of Pepperdine's Institute for the Study of Archaeology
and Religion. He took Pepperdine students on archaeological trips to Israel for over 25 years.
Wilson retired in 2006 from his last position as Professor of Religion, Emeritus, at Pepperdine. He is the author of a number
of publications, most notably his work on a famous archaeological site in the Middle East:
Caesarea Philippi: Banias, the Lost City of Pan. He has also written for radio and television, produced religious television programs, and appeared on television in an
A&E series about archaeology and the Bible.
John F. Wilson is married to Dr. Claudette Wilson (a former Assistant Professor of Education at Pepperdine, who retired in
2004). They have three daughters, Laura, Amy, and Emily.
The collection consists of materials related to John F. Wilson's academic and professional career ranging from high school
through post-graduate degrees, and teaching and administrative positions. The items include correspondence, articles, date
books, calendars, a faculty portfolio compiled for his five-year evaluation at Pepperdine, and a print of the film
One Life. Copies of works authored by Wilson are represented in the collection, including a signed copy of his book
Discovering the Bible, as well as copies of Wilson's master's thesis and PhD dissertation. There are also materials about the activities of the
Office of the Seaver Dean during Wilson's tenure as Dean. The collection dates span from 1953 to 1998.
The collection is arranged in five series:
Series 1: Chronological Files
Series 2: Date Books and Calendars
Series 3: Authored Works
Series 4: Miscellaneous
Series 5: Office of the Seaver Dean
The collection was arranged and described by Jamie Henricks and Jessica Geiser in March 2012.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Theses
Dissertations
Appointment books
Correspondence
Wilson, John Francis