Ursula Niebuhr

Ursula Mary Niebuhr (1908 - January 10, 1997) was an American academic and theologian. She was the founder and longtime head of the Department of Religion at Barnard College in New York City.

Although known as an American, she was born in Southampton, England. After graduation from the University of Oxford with double Firsts in history and theology, she became the first woman to win a fellowship to the Union Theological Seminary in New York.[1]

Contents

Marriage

In 1931, the former Ursula Mary Keppel-Compton, the younger daughter of Dr. and Mrs. Keppel-Compton of Woodhall Spa in Lincolnshire, England and Rapallo in northern Italy, became the wife of Reinhold Niebuhr[2] in Winchester, England.[3] The couple made New York City their home during the majority of their 40 years together. The marriage, which lasted until his death in 1971, was said to have been marked by theological debates.[4]

Career

As a lay minister in the 1930s, she was preaching in Anglican churches and raising questions about the role of women in the church.[5]

Beginning as a lecturer in 1940, she was a member of the Barnard College faculty for twenty years, retiring in the 1960s.[6]

Selected works

Notes

  1. ^ Thomas, Robert. "Ursula Niebuhr, 89, Founder Of Barnard Religion Department," New York Times. January 12, 1997.
  2. ^ "Marriage Announcement: 'Reinhold Neibuhr to Wed," New York Times. June 8, 1931.
  3. ^ "Milestones: January 18, 1932," Time (New York). January 18, 1932.
  4. ^ Rooney, Andy. "I bet God couldn't have cared less," The Ledger (Lakeland, Florida). January 25, 1997.
  5. ^ Johnson, Robert L. "Theologian in process," Cross Currents (Spring 1992) Vol. 42, Issue 1.
  6. ^ "Deaths," Christian Century (January 29, 1997), Vol. 114, Issue 4, p. 94.

References

External links