Frank W. Gunsaulus papers, 1895-1920

Frank W. Gunsaulus (1856-1921) was an ordained Methodist minister, a noted preacher, orator, educator, bibliophile, document scholar, and pastor of Plymouth Congregational Church (Chicago) where, in 1890, he delivered the "Million Dollar Sermon" which inspired Philip Armour, Sr. to found Armour Institute of Technology. Gunsaulus served as the school's founding president for 27 years. He was a well-known and influential member of the academic and literary communities in Chicago, and the author of books and poems. Gunsaulus was a personal friend of author Eugene Field, a fellow bibliophile, and composed a poem to be read at Field's burial. Gunsaulus' own death was headline news in the Chicago press, and he was widely eulogized at his memorial service.

The collection includes manuscripts, publications, and letters of Frank Gunsaulus, mostly related to personal life and not Amrour Institute. Manuscrips and publications include his own poems, some signed, including the poem he composesd for Eugene Field's funeral. Letters are to F.W. Jay and include a recommendation to the Surgeon General for position of army surgeon.

See list in Acc. No. 1998.024

Available for Research

Catherine Bruck, University Archivist

• Subject
  • Protestant churches
  • Poetry
  • United States. Army
• Geographic CoverageChicago (Ill.)
• Names
  • Gunsaulus, Frank W. (Frank Wakeley), 1856-1921
  • Jay, Frank Webster
  • Field, Eugene, 1850-1895