The George Augustus Lofton Papers span the years 1874-1941, although the bulk of the material dates from 1875-1900. They consist of correspondence, writings and sermons, clippings, book reviews, and printed materials. The collection principally relates to Lofton's career as a Baptist minister serving churches in Dalton, Gal; Memphis, Tenn. (First Church); St. Louis, Mo. (Third Church); Talladega, Ala.; and Nashville, Tenn. (Central Church). The collection mostly contains handwritten sermons and sermon notes, and includes little family or personal material, although a few family letters are in the Correspondence Series. The Correspondence Series, however, primarily contains letters critiquing Lofton's works, and The Writings and Speeches Series documents Lofton's intellectual growth throughout his career as author and minister. This series also contains Lofton's published text, (1890), and a manuscript draft of his autobiography titled, Lofton's sermons and sermon notes track both his spiritual development and writing skills throughout the years of his ministry. The sermon notes reveal his views on slavery, capital punishment, and foreign mission work. The Printed Materials Series includes published brochures and sermons written by Lofton and others, 1881-1914. The Miscellaneous Series contains an assortment of items from 1873-1940 including Lofton family photographs and other materials. Included are items pertaining to Baptist minister George Law Stewart and Dr. Adiel Sherwood.