Special Collections

The Saint John's University Archives includes four manuscript collections of substance:

Jon Hassler Papers
Paul Marx, OSB Papers
Kilian McDonnell, OSB Papers
Robert Spaeth Papers

Jon Hassler Papers, 1985-1997

(1933-2008) Jon Hassler, Regents Professor Emeritus of Fiction, graduated from SJU in 1955 and was appointed writer-in-residence in 1980 until his retirement in 1997.  He was a nationally respected author of novels, plays and nonfiction.  (See also Jon Hassler: Distinguished author and educator, which includes photos, Jon's paintings, memorials, and other links.) The collection, which spans the years 1985-1997, includes drafts, galley proofs, and miscellanea of and related to Hassler’s novels, plays, screenplays, and other works, some with handwritten revisions.  The following Hassler titles are represented, at least in part, in the Archives:

Simon’s Night
A Green Journey
Book of Brendan
Grand Opening
North of Hope
Dear James
Rookery Blues
The Dean’s List
Screenplays, Plays, etc.

Paul Marx, OSB Papers

(1920-   ) Founder and first chair of the Sociology department at SJU, Father Paul Marx developed and founded the Human Life Center at Saint John’s from 1972 to 1980, and was the founder and senior editor of Review of Natural Family Planning. From 1981 to 1999, Father Paul founded Human Life International in Washington, D.C. He became the “apostle for life,” as he was known in the pro-life movement.  Father Paul also founded the Population Research Institute (1989).  In a papal audience in 1979, Pope John Paul II told Paul Marx: “You are doing the most important work on earth.” Planned Parenthood labeled him as “Public Enemy #1”. The Archives have his papers from 1952-1983.

Kilian McDonnell, OSB Papers

(1921-   ) Kilian McDonnell, OSB, was the founder and director of the St. John’s Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, now called the Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research.  The Institute, begun in 1967, is an American center of scholarly research to nurture the best of Protestant, Catholic, and Orthodox theology, and welcomes scholars from all over the country and world.  The Archives have Father Kilian's papers from 1955-2005.

Robert Spaeth Papers

(1934-1994) Robert L. Spaeth came to Saint John’s University as visting professor and director of Freshman Colloquium in 1977. He was appointed dean in 1979 and held that post for nine years, resigning in 1988 to return to teaching, which he did up until his death in 1994.  As dean, Spaeth supported initiatives in curriculum development and revision which resulted in the First Year Symposium (FYS), the Forum, the core curriculum, the Christian Humanism program and the Honors Program.  His work, Exploring the Human Condition, served as a guidebook for the first year experience program.  The Archives have his papers from 1960-1993.