In the Shadow of Giants...
So, I was down in the stacks of New College the other day, looking for some books, when I ran across a letter from Niebuhr to his wife, Ursula. It said [very loosely paraphrased],"Dearest Ursula,
Had dinner at New College tonight and am scheduled to speak here in the morning. I miss you and the children terribly. I hope you are doing well, as your cable suggested, and that you are not fooling me.
Love,
Reinnie"
posted by John and Mag @ 4:33 AM
4 Comments:
I'm glad to see this side of Niebuhr, i.e., the more personal side. How many children did they have? Are any still alive? Did any of them follow in his footsteps? Where was his wife's home?
And the really big question...did they talk about the ethics of Jesus around the dinner table? Just kidding (sort of)! But, you have to admit, he was a complicated man, and I was just wondering about his relationship to his family.
Love the insight we're gaining!
Dad
Good questions, all. They had 3 children, and yes, they are still alive. In fact his daughter, Elizabeth Sifton, just published a book last year about The Serenity Prayer (click to read), which Niebuhr wrote, and its impact on her father's life.
None followed in his footsteps, although I believe they are all writers of some sort. He has a great-nephew on staff at Syracuse, and a nephew who is emeritus at Harvard Divinity.
His wife was from London. She was an exchange student in the same class as Bonhoeffer who went to Union to study for a year. Niebuhr began courting her after she had finished her year there because he was afraid of the appearance of impropriety if they started a relationship while she was his student. She graduated from Oxford, and they were married in London.
Hope this helps!!!
How interesting! Now I remember that he wrote the Serenity Prayer. This is truly fascinating. I feel like we're all getting to know a little more about Niebuhr and his life every day. So far...I like!!
Dad
John--I love Niebuhr's poem. I never realized it was longer than the first paragraph, and the second is equally powerful. I am so impressed with the acceptance, trusting, and surrendering he speaks of as necessary in this present world, leaving our future perfect peace and joy to be forever shared in the next life.
It's that "acceptance" that's so very difficult!! Okay, and the "trusting" and "surrendering", too!!
Thanks for explaining the Blog song to me yesterday. It does make more sense now! Looking forward to hearing it in person!
Mom
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