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Oberlin Collection

In the 1890s, Oberlin College, a beacon of higher education in the United States, was thriving

Background imageOberlin Collection: Oberlin College in the 1890s

Oberlin College in the 1890s
Council Hall at Oberlin College, 1890s. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Background imageOberlin Collection: Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in Vosges region of France

Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in Vosges region of France
530193 Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in Vosges region of France, encouraging his parishioners to construct road to decrease their isolation

Background imageOberlin Collection: Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in Vosges region of France

Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in Vosges region of France
530192 Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in Vosges region of France, encouraging his parishioners to construct road to decrease their isolation

Background imageOberlin Collection: Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist

Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in the Vosges region of France
530191 Johann Friedrich Oberlin (1740-1826) Lutheran philanthropist and pastor in the Vosges region of France, cooking a frugal meal and reading. Wood engraving c1880.; Universal History Archive/UIG

Background imageOberlin Collection: Oberlin (engraving)

Oberlin (engraving)
3629615 Oberlin (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oberlin. Illustration for Le Magasin Pittoresque (1841). Digitally cleaned image.); © Look and Learn

Background imageOberlin Collection: Oberlin visiting his people (engraving)

Oberlin visiting his people (engraving)
2793261 Oberlin visiting his people (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oberlin visiting his people)

Background imageOberlin Collection: Oberlin et le rustre (engraving)

Oberlin et le rustre (engraving)
3645128 Oberlin et le rustre (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oberlin et le rustre. Illustration for Le Magasin Pittoresque (1861)

Background imageOberlin Collection: Oberlin makes the road and builds the bridge (engraving)

Oberlin makes the road and builds the bridge (engraving)
6006395 Oberlin makes the road and builds the bridge (engraving) by Doyle, Charles Altamont (1832-93); Private Collection; (add.info.: Oberlin makes the road and builds the bridge)

Background imageOberlin Collection: Charles Grandison Finney

Charles Grandison Finney, clergyman and president of Oberlin College. Hand-colored woodcut of a 19th-century illustration

Background imageOberlin Collection: Johann Friedrich Oberlin, Lutheran philanthropist, c1800 (c1880)

Johann Friedrich Oberlin, Lutheran philanthropist, c1800 (c1880)
Johann Friedrich Oberlin, Lutheran philanthropist, and pastor in Vosges region of France, encouraging his parishioners to construct road to decrease their isolation, c1800 (c1880). Wood engraving

Background imageOberlin Collection: Jean Frederic Oberlin 2

Jean Frederic Oberlin 2
JEAN FREDERIC OBERLIN Alsatian Lutheran pastor, educator and agriculturist who introduced new methods in raising crops and children. Date: 1740 - 1826


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In the 1890s, Oberlin College, a beacon of higher education in the United States, was thriving. This engraving captures the spirit of the era, showing a young man named Oberlin visiting his people with a book in hand. The image is reminiscent of another engraving titled "Oberlin et le rustre," which depicts Oberlin making the road and building the bridge for his community. Johann Friedrich Oberlin, a Lutheran philanthropist from the early 1800s, may have been an inspiration for this namesake. Oberlin's dedication to education and social reform resonated deeply with the college's founders. During this time, renowned evangelist Charles Grandison Finney delivered a series of revival sermons on campus, igniting a spiritual awakening among students. Oberlin's commitment to social justice and academic excellence continued to shape the college's identity. Fast forward to the late 1800s, and Johann Friedrich Oberlin's legacy lived on. This portrait, depicting him in his later years, serves as a reminder of his enduring impact. Jean Frederic Oberlin, another Oberlin with a connection to the college, also left his mark on history as a French Protestant pastor and writer. Throughout its rich history, Oberlin College has remained a place where students are encouraged to explore, learn, and make a difference, just as Johann Friedrich Oberlin did in his time.