The David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library’s holdings of religious materials are quite diverse, representing many traditions and genres. The most extensive distinctive feature is material in American and British Methodism, with particular depth in Wesleyana. Also includes strong manuscript and printed holdings of English and American Anglican/Episcopal materials, collections relating to Baptist and African-American churches, and Judaica. There are also significant holdings in English, Anglo-American, and German hymnody and significant and representative Biblical editions from all periods and in many languages, as well as smaller holdings of liturgical and devotional medieval and Renaissance manuscripts.

There is a special subject pathfinder on Religious Materials in the Rubenstein Library. In addition, all of the materials within this subject area can be found by conducting author, title, or subject searches in the Duke Library online catalog, especially in the Advanced searching area by limiting location to “Rubenstein Library” or through searching the Rubenstein Library’s database of encoded finding aids.

English and American Methodist materials, including papers of Methodist leaders and theologians, especially those centrally involved in contemporary controversies, and rare and unique Wesleyana. Printed materials relating to other existing areas of strength are acquired widely but more selectively. The Bingham Center also collects on religion and gender, especially documentation of controversies involving feminist and other women’s issues in American churches. The Franklin Research Center is also collecting missionary materials in cooperation with the Divinity Library.

For general information about finding materials in the library's collections and how you can use them, requesting permission to reproduce, or other information as well as reference questions about the holdings in this area:

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