Ismar Peritz Writing, 1945-1946

Summary

Creator:
Peritz, Ismar J. (Ismar John), 1863-
Abstract:
History of Bible courses at Syracuse University written by Ismar Peritz, professor of biblical languages and literature
Extent:
1 folder
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Ismar Peritz Writing,

Background

Scope and content:

The Ismar Peritz Writing contains Peritz's essay titled "Fifty Years of Bible Courses in Syracuse University," written from 1945 to 1946. The piece describes the development of Syracuse University's Department of Religion, from the time Peritz taught the first Bible course in 1895 through the year the piece was written. Peritz wrote about the field of Bible study as a concept in this piece as well.

Biographical / historical:

Ismar Peritz (1863-1950) was a professor of biblical languages and literatures and the first chair of the Department of Religion at Syracuse University. Peritz was born in Breslau, Germany to Jewish parents. When he was 14, he converted to Christianity and moved to England. There he spent time learning English and attending secondary school. Peritz moved to the United States in 1883 and enrolled in courses at Drew Theological Seminary in Madison, New Jersey. After graduating in 1887, he started attending the Semitic language program at Harvard University, eventually receiving bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees from the program. One year after his graduation from Harvard in 1895, Peritz accepted a position as an instructor of Ancient Greek at Syracuse University. The very next year, he established a department focused on the study of Semitic languages, based on the program he had attended at Harvard. This department was first called the Department of Semitics and Archaeology, then the Department of Semitic Languages and Biblical Literature, and finally it was known as the Department of the Bible and Religion. This department made Syracuse University one of the first American universities to offer biblical courses for college credit. Peritz retired as a professor emeritus in 1933, having worked at Syracuse University for 38 years.

Peritz was considered a foremost scholar in the field of biblical study, having written many papers on biblical subjects and even a textbook on the Old Testament that was used by many other universities and colleges in their biblical study courses. He also established the Association of Biblical Instructors in American Colleges and Secondary Schools with four other professors in 1909, which developed into the modern American Academy of Religion.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Professor D.D. Robertson in 1975.
Processing information:

Material was placed in an acid-free folder.

Arrangement:

Materials are arranged alphabetically.

Access and use

Restrictions:

There are no access restrictions for this collection.

Terms of access:

Written permission must be obtained from the Syracuse University Archives and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

Preferred citation:

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Ismar Peritz Writing,

Location of this collection:
Special Collections Research Center
Syracuse University Libraries
Bird Library, Room 600
Syracuse, NY 13244, United States
Link to repository site
Contact:
315.443.2697
scrc@syr.edu