The papers of Edward Franklin Bosworth, Oberlin College Class of 1916, document primarily Bosworth's professional life as a Congregational Minister, with the bulk of this collection being comprised of sermons and related eulogies, chapel talks, communion services, and prayer meeting outlines. The collection has an inclusive date range of 1895-1971, with the majority of papers (the sermons) having been created in the 1920's.

Bosworth’s time at Officer training School at Camp Sherman, Chillicothe, Ohio – 1917-18 – is represented by a photograph of Bosworth in uniform (Series II) and a ‘yearbook’ from his time at Camp Sherman )Series III).

While Bosworth served as Dean of Men for Oberlin from 1927-1955, this collection lacks any professional documentation of Bosworth's contributions to or activities in the College, leaving a significant gap in this collection. However, a small number of the Chapel Talks mentioned above were given to the student body at Oberlin.

A photograph of the Class of '16 "Lake Boys" may be of interest to those studying past Oberlin College student activities. Also, a great number of interesting photographs of both the city of Oberlin and Oberlin College events can be found in the scrapbook.

The collection is divided into the following series: 1. Biographical Files; 2. Photographs; 3. Scrapbook/Yearbook/Reunions; and 4. Sermons and Talks.

Series I. Biographical Files, 1955-c.1997, (3 folders)

The biographical files contain clippings, general correspondence, retirement memorials, information on Bosworth's funeral, and four color photographs of Bosworth family headstones in the Westwood Cemetery. The three folders are arranged chronologically.

Series II. Photographs, 1895, 1916, 1918, 1925, 1954-1955, c.1997 (1 folder)

This series contains 17 photographs, 4 of which are chromogenic (color). They are primarily family photographs, and include a baby picture and college portrait of Bosworth, as well as a Camp Sherman portrait. The photographs are arranged chronologically.

Series III. Scrapbook/Yearbook/Reunions, 1912-1916, 1918, 1966, 1971, and n.d. (2 folders)

This series contains a scrapbook documenting some of Bosworth's college memories between 1912-16, a 1918 yearbook/training manual from Camp Sherman, and Oberlin College Class of '16 reunion programs for both 1966 and 1971. The yearbook is placed before the reunion programs in chronological order, while the scrapbook is housed separately with the Archives' scrapbook collection.

Series IV. Sermons and Talks, 1916, 1921-1928 (bulk), 1930, 1932-1933, 1937-1942, 1946-1953, and n.d. (18 folders)

Forming the vast majority of this collection, the sermons, chapel talks, eulogies, and communion services are arranged primarily in a relaxed chronological order following the original arrangement set forth by Bosworth. Special groupings of sermons, such as those falling under eulogies, are kept together as a subject and then arranged chronologically.

The papers of Edward Franklin Bosworth were donated to the Oberlin College Archives on 15 December 1997. [Acc. 1997/155]