Samuel S. Lambeth collection

Collection — Box: 1-3

Identifier: RMC-00005

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

Sermons, sketches, and correspondence written by Reverend Samuel Summerfield Lambeth from the Virginia Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, circa 1850-1915; contains some miscellaneous printed materials and books from his personal library.

Dates

1850 - 1915

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research; appointments to view materials can be scheduled via the appointment request form on the Special Collections and Archives webpage of the library website https://library.rmc.edu/specialcollections

Biographical

Dr. Samuel Summerfield Lambeth (1838-1928) was born in Richmond, Virginia. He attended Randolph-Macon College from 1856-1857, back when the campus was originally located in Boydton, Virginia. In 1857, Lambeth entered the Virginia Conference on trial in a class of sixteen preachers. He was known throughout his life and career for his exceptional wit and talent with language. His classmate, J.J. Lafferty, affectionately remarked in his book, Twentieth Century Sketches of the Virginia Conference, how Lambeth “[was] welcomed to the lecture platform with applause” and was a greatly beloved figure in and out of the pulpit. Lambeth served as a Trustee of Randolph-Macon College for many years and was frequently invited to address graduate ceremonies at his alma mater. Lambeth was also one of the first commissioned chaplains in the Confederate Army in Virginia.

For forty-one years he was Assistant Secretary of the Virginia Conference alongside Dr. Paul Whitehead. Upon Whitehead’s death in 1907, Lambeth was elected Secretary and served an additional seven years before resigning due to his health. In 1888, Washington and Lee University conferred the honorary title of Doctor of Divinity to Lambeth.

Extent

2.9 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Metadata Rights Declarations

Items in this collection may be used for educational, research, and scholarly purposes. Publication, transmission, or reproduction of items protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Contact archives@rmc.edu for more information.

Additional Description

Abstract

Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically when possible into three series: 1. Manuscripts; 2. Journals; 3. Printed Materials.

Arrangement

Series 1: Manuscripts Handwritten sermons, letters, and some ancillary printed materials.

Series 2: Journals Bound journals with handwritten sermons and sermon sketches.

Series 3: Printed Materials Books from the personal library of Samuel S. Lambeth.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by family.

Legal Status

Copyright restrictions apply to certain materials in the collection. Although the Flavia Reed Owen Special Collections and Archives at Randolph-Macon College physically owns all archival, manuscript, and special collections materials in its possession, it does not automatically own all intellectual property rights (copyright) associated with these materials.

Researchers must obtain permission to copy, publish, exhibit, or display collection materials in part or in whole from the Flavia Reed Owen Special Collections and Archives. For more information, please contact the Special Collections and Archives staff at archives@rmc.edu.