Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- [193-]-2017 (Creation)
Level of description
Manuscript Collection
Extent and medium
25 boxes (3.0 metres)
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Tom Harpur (1929-2017) was an Anglican minister, educator, journalist and writer. After ordaining in 1956, Harpur served as a parish minister in Ontario from 1957-1964. In 1964, he was hired as a professor of the New Testament at the University of Toronto and he held this posiiton until 1971 when he made the decision to become a journalist. He was the Toronto Star’s religion editor until 1984 and continued to write columns on religion for the Toronto Star and other media outlets. Harpur also wrote several books including Harpur’s Heaven and Hell (1983), Communicating the Good News Today (1987), Always on Sunday (1988), Life After Death (1991), For Christ’s Sake (1993), Harpur vs. Hancock (1994), Finding the Still Point (2002) and The Pagan Christ (2004), which was later adapted into a documentary. The Pagan Christ was a national bestseller and led Harpur to write the sequel, Water into Wine (2007). Several of Harpur’s books became the basis for television series which aired on Vision TV and included Harpur’s Heaven and Hell, Harpur vs. Hancock, Life After Death and the Uncommon Touch.
Archival history
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of Tom Harpur, 2016
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Papers consist of records created and acquired by Tom Harpur in the course of his career as a journalist and writer. Included are his columns for the Toronto Star and other media outlets; short stories and other writing that he did along with records related to his books; research materials for the Pagan Christ; various television series and documentaries which he hosted and were based on his books; correspondence with his readers, publishers, and colleagues; and interviews and other records relating to publicity. Also included is a small amount of personal material and photographs, pertaining to his education and early career. Some published materials were received as part of the donation but were either not retained or catalogued separately. A list of these books is included as an appendix to this finding aid for reference purposes.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Material may be requested in person at the Fisher Library Reference Desk, or in advance using our online stack retrieval request form: https://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/stack-retrieval-form.
Conditions governing reproduction
Language of material
- English