Robert R. Spears, Jr. papers

Collection

Identifier: D.503

Staff Only

Biographical / Historical note

Robert Spears (1918-2008), served as an Episcopal clergyman with parishes in the Northeast and Midwest, until later becoming Bishop of Rochester from 1970 to 1987. His ministry was characterized by progressivism and social activism.

Bishop Robert Rae “Bob” Spears, Jr was born in Rochester in 1918. He graduated from Attica High School in 1936, then studied at Hobart College (1936-1940) and the General Theological Seminary (1940-1943).

Spears married Charlotte Luttrell (1920-2015) in 1947. They had two sons and a daughter: Robert III, Gregory, and Deborah.

Between 1943 and his appointment as bishop of Rochester in 1970, Spears held posts in Auburn, New York, and Princeton, New Jersey, and lastly in Kansas City, Missouri, where he was consecrated suffragan bishop in 1967.

Spears led church reform efforts resulting in ordination for women and greater acceptance of homosexuals within the church. Moreover, as bishop he advocated for prison reform, civil rights, the anti-Vietnam War movement, and nuclear disarmament.

After the bloody Attica prison uprising in 1970, Spears took up the prisoners’ cause and helped to found a visitor center, where inmates could more frequently and intimately see their loved ones.

Controversially, Spears performed the Eucharist on the steps of the Harrisburg courthouse in 1972. On trial were the “Harrisburg 7,” most of whom were Catholic clergy, accused of a bomb plot. The group was ruled innocent; but Spears’ demonstration evoked fierce debate in the Anglican episcopate over the church’s relation to protest movements and the appropriateness of performing the Eucharist in an unholy place.

Spears stepped down in 1984 for health reasons, though he remained active in the church as a retired bishop. When Spears passed away in 2008 then Bishop McKelvey stated that “Bishop Spears made the diocese a healthy and vibrant place, though somewhat divided because of his determination to stand for justice and on the side of those who need advocacy. He was a trusted and valued colleague.”

Scope and Contents

The collection consists of internal church documents and correspondence, Spears’ personal writings, correspondence, and sermons; Spears’ activism is well documented by correspondence, publications, photographs, and pamphlets. Materials date from 1936-2008.

Creator

Spears, Robert R., Jr., 1918-2008 (Person)

Dates

Creation: 1940-2008

Language of Materials

English

Extent

36 linear feet (40 boxes)

Access

The Robert R. Spears, Jr. papers is open for research use. Researchers are advised to contact Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation prior to visiting. Upon arrival, researchers will also be asked to fill out a registration form and provide photo identification.

Use

Reproductions are made upon request but can be subject to restrictions. Permission to publish materials from the collection must currently be requested. Please note that some materials may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the researcher's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections. For more information contact rarebks@library.rochester.edu

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of the Spears family, May 2015.

Preferred Citation

[Item title, item date], Robert R. Spears, Jr. papers, D.503, Rare Books, Special Collections, and Preservation, River Campus Libraries, University of Rochester