The Nat Brandt Papers primarily document Brandt’s research and writing on three Oberlin related topics: the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue of 1858; the Oberlin missionaries who were killed during the Boxer Rebellion in China in 1900; and, Oberlin College Football (late 1890s) and John Heisman as coach of the team. The titles of Brandt’s books are identified in the series descriptions below. Many of the documents in the collection are photocopies of the original materials that were used by Brandt in his research and writing. The date span of the research materials range from c.1850s to 2004.

Also included in the collection are copies of speeches given by Brandt that concern the subjects (i.e., abolitionism, China, and football) included in his books. Series 5. consists of one photograph of Nat Brandt, 2004.

Series 1. Collected files relating to The Town that Started the Civil War manuscript, 1988

Research materials (copies and originals) collected by Nat Brandt for his book The Town that Started the Civil War, 1988. Consists of newspaper clippings, articles, correspondence, photographs, and other associated materials.

Series 2. Collected files relating to the Massacre in Shansi manuscript, 1993

Research materials (copies and originals) collected by Nat Brandt for his book Massacre in Shansi, 1993. Consists of newspaper clippings, articles, correspondence, photographs, and other associated materials.

Series 3. Collected files relating to the When Oberlin was King of the Gridiron manuscript, 1999

Research materials (copies and originals) collected by Nat Brandt for his book When Oberlin was King of the Gridiron, 1999. Consists of newspaper clippings, articles, correspondence, photographs, and other associated materials.

Series 4. Miscellaneous talks given at Oberlin College, 1988, 2004

The lectures in this series include “New Thoughts on the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue,” September 8, 1988; “Heisman and Oberlin, a Perfect Match,” May 29, 2004; and, “Abolitionism, China & Football,” May 29, 2004.

Series 5. Photograph, c.2004

Consists of one black and white photograph of Nat Brandt.

See also the Physical Education Department Records (RG 9/6), the Shansi Memorial Association Records (RG 15), and Roland Baumann’s book The 1858 Oberlin-Wellington Rescue: A Reappraisal (2003).

Please note that Brandt’s books contain numerous references to holdings in the Oberlin College Archives relating to Oberlin College football, the Oberlin-Wellington Rescue and abolitionism, and the Shansi Massacre and Oberlin missionary activity in China.