Bibliography of Books on the Quaker Heritage

General Quaker History

Bacon, Margaret H. Mothers of Feminism: the story of Quaker women in America. Philadelphia, PA : Friends General Conference, [1995], c1986.

An exploration of the roots of feminism in the history of the Quaker tradition.

____________. The Quiet Rebels: the story of Quakers in America. Wallingford, Pa. : Pendle Hill Pub., c1999.

A very good introduction to Quaker history.

Barbour, Hugh. The Quakers in Puritan England. Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 1985.

An assessment of the faith and mission of early Quakers perceived by the author as "the Lamb's War."

Barbour, Hugh, and J. William Frost. The Quakers. Richmond, IN: Friends United Press, 1994, c1998.

The newest general history of the Society of Friends in the U.S. Includes brief biographical sketches and an extensive critical bibliographic essay.

Braithwaite, William C. (William Charles). The Beginnings of Quakerism. 2nd. rev. ed. by Henry Joel Cadbury. Cambridge (Eng): University Press, 1970.

The first book of four in the most comprehensive history of Quakers, planned as the "Rowntree Series", which although it is dated, remains the starting place for serious research. Included are the two William Braithwaite books and the two Rufus Jones books in this bibliography. The series covers Quaker history in England and America from its origins until World War I.

Braithwaite, William C. (William Charles). The Second Period of Quakerism. 2nd ed., prepared by Henry J. Cadbury. Cambridge (Eng): University Press, 1961.

Brinton, Howard. Friends for 300 Years. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Pub., 1988.

A collection of essays about Quakers rather than an historical account.

Britain Yearly Meeting. Quaker Faith & Practice. 1995.

Extracts from the spiritual writings of many Friends as well as expressions of the faith of the Society in personal and corporate living are presented for guidance rather than as a formal creed. Indexed by source, author, and subject.

Cooper, Wilmer. A Living Faith: an historical and comparative study of Quaker beliefs. 2nd ed. Richmond, Ind. : Friends United Press, 2001.

A systematic historical study of Quaker beliefs including discussion questions, bibliography, glossary and index.

Foulds, Elfrida Vipont. The Story of Quakerism. Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 1977.

A book written for secondary students from an English point of view.

Fox, George. Journal. A revised edition by John L. Nickalls, with an epilogue by Henry J. Cadbury and an introduction by Geoffrey F. Nuttall. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting: 1995.

Hamm, Thomas D. The Transformation of American Quakerism: Orthodox Friends, 1800-1907. Indianapolis, Ind.: Indiana University Press, 1988.

A study of the transformation of American Quakerism from distinctive sect to Protestant denomination.

James, Sydney V. A People Among Peoples. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1963.

A stimulating study of Quakers in America from the 1650s until 1800.

Jones, Rufus M. The Later Periods of Quakerism. London: Macmillan and Co., 1921.

Even though Later Periods refers to post-1715, there is much material on 19th-century American Quakerism, in this last book in the "Rowntree Series."

Jones, Rufus M. Quakers in the American Colonies. New York: W.W. Norton, 1966.

While this was originally written early in the 20^th century, it is very useful.

Kenworthy, Leonard. Living in the Light. Kennett Square, PA: Friends General Conference and Quaker Publications, Vol. 1, 1984, Vol. 2, 1985.

Brief biographies of 40 twentieth-century Quakers who were pioneers in at least one movement or concern: Vol. I. In the U.S.A. / Vol. II. In the wider world.

Punshon, John. Portrait in Grey. London: Quaker Home Service, 1986.

This addition to Quaker histories deals fairly equally with faith, government, and practice, and supplements earlier publications.

Quakers Around the World: handbook of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). London, Eng.: Friends World Committee for Consultation, 1994.

Latest edition of handbook for background information about yearly meetings, Quaker mission and service organizations.

Russell, Elbert. The History of Quakerism. Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 1979.

Originally published in 1942, but still well worth consulting.

Selleck, George A. Quakers in Boston, 1656-1964: three centuries of Friends in Boston and Cambridge. Boston: Friends Meeting at Cambridge, 1976.

Also discusses major developments in the Society of Friends beyond Boston.

Steere, Douglas V. Introduction from Quaker Spirituality. Philadelphia: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, 1988.

A short introduction to the spiritual foundation and practice of Quakers, with many examples.

Trueblood, D. Elton. People Called Quakers. Richmond, IN: Friends United Press, 1971.

A stimulating volume based on Trueblood's personal acquaintance with the major branches of Quakerism and with most of the prominent Quaker writers.

West, Jessamyn, ed. The Quaker Reader. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Pub., 1992.

A compilation of writings by and about Quakers from 1650-1960.

Williams, Walter Rollin. The Rich Heritage of Quakerism. Newberg, Oregon: Barclay Press, 1987.

A history based on biographical sketches which is written from an Evangelical point of view.

Witnesses for Change: Quaker women over three centuries. Elisabeth Potts Brown and Susan Mosaher Stuard, eds. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 1989.

A collection of essays on Quaker women's roles in social change. Includes a desxriptive chapers: "Sources on Quaker Women."

Special Subjects in Quaker History

Benjamin, Philip S. The Philadelphia Quakers in the Industrial Age, 1865-1920. Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1976.

A well-researched account which makes clear the growing similarity of Hicksite and Orthodox Friends by quantifying the social reform activities of the men and women in each branch.

Brinton, Howard. Quaker Education in Theory and Practice. 3rd rev. ed.Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill, 1967.

A good introduction to this subject which contains a bibliographical list of a number of special volumes about Quaker education.

Brock, Peter. Pioneers of the Peaceable Kingdom. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1970, c1968.

A superb study of the Quaker peace testimony.

Bronner, Edwin B. William Penn's "Holy Experiment." Westport: Greenwood, 1978.

A study of the first two decades of Pennsylvania.

Carroll, Kenneth. Quakerism on the Eastern Shore. Baltimore: MD Historical Society, 1970.

The early history of Baltimore Yearly Meeting, largely in the Chesapeake Bay area.

Cherry, Charles L. A Quiet Haven: Quakers, moral treatment, and asylum reform. Rutherford, NJ: Fairleigh Dickinson University Press, 1989.

Examines the development by Quakers of moral treatment for the mentally ill from 1652 to 1850.

Drake, Thomas E. Quakers and Slavery in America. Gloucester, Mass.: P. Smith, 1965, c1950.

Still the standard work on this subject.

Elliott, Errol T. Quakers on the American Frontier. Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 1969.

A history of the westward migrations, settlements and developments of Friends on the American continent.

Frazer, Heather T. We Have Just Begun Not to Fight ; an oral history of conscientious objectors in Civilian Public Service during WWII. New York : Twayne Publishers, c1996.

A reflection after 50 years on the CPS experience.

Frost, J. William (Jerry William) "Our deeds carry our message" : the early history of the American Friends Service Committee . Haverford, PA : Friends Historical Association, 1992. (Quaker History ; v. 81, no. 1, Spring 1992.)

Frost, J. William. The Quaker Family in Colonial America. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1973.

A now classic, sociological examination of the Quaker family.

Goossen, Rachel W. Women Against the Good War: Conscientious Objection and Gender on the American Home Front: 1941-1947. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1997.

A study of the c. 2000 women who marginalized themselves from American society by identifying themselves as "C.O."s.

Grubb, Edward. Separations: their causes and effects. London: Headley Bros., 1914.

Studies in 19th-century Quakerism.

Hamm, Thomas D. Earlham College: a history, 1847-1997. Bloomington : Indiana University Press, c1997.

A study of the evolution of Earlham's understanding of itself as a Quaker college, amid the paradoxes of Quaker history.

Hidden in Plain Sight : Quaker women's writings, 1650-1700. Wallingford, PA : Pendle Hill Pub., 1996.

36 original texts with interpretive introductions are arranged in four categories: Tracts of proclamation and warnings; Journals, autobiographies and travel narratives; Theological works; Letters and epistles.

Ingle, H. Larry. Quakers in Conflict: the Hicksite reformation. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Pub., 1998.

A well-written detailed account of a major upheaval in Quaker history.

Irons, Peter H. The Courage of Their Convictions. New York : Free Press, c1988.

The defendant's story in each of 16 civil liberties cases tried by the Supreme Court.

Ives, Kenneth. Black Quakers : brief biographies. Chicago : Progresiv Publishr, 1991.

Little has been written on this subject.

Kelsey, Rayner W. Friends and the Indians, 1655-1917. Philadelphia: The Associated Executive Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs, 1917.

This needs to be revised and updated, but it is a classic.

Kenworthy, Leonard S. Quaker Education: a source book. Kennett Square, PA: Quaker Publications, 1987.

An overview of Friends' work in education, which includes the opinions of the author.

Larson, Rebecca. Daughters of Light: Quaker women preaching and prophesying in the colonies and abroad, 1700-1775. Chapel Hill, N.C. : University of North Carolina Press, 2000.

A study of 18th-century Quaker women's role as public ministers and its effect on their identities, their families, and their society.

Mack, Phyllis. Visionary Women: ecstatic prophecy in 17th-century England. Berkeley, CA: University of California Press, 1994, c1992.

Studies the significance of gender in the writings of 17th-century Quaker women.

Marietta, Jack D. The Reformation of American Quakerism, 1748-1783. Philadelphia : University of Pennsylvania Press, c1984.

Marietta disagrees with James and Tolles in interpreting the mid-18th-century reform movement in Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.

Mekeel, Arthur J. The Quakers and the American Revolution. York, England: Sessions Book Trust, 1996.

Illuminates the struggle of late 18th-century American Friends between their pacifist convictions and their responsibilities to the state.

Milner, Clyde. With Good Intentions. Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1982.

Quaker work among the Pawnees, Otos, and Omahas in the 1870's.

Moore, John M., ed. Friends in the Delaware Valley: Philadelphia Yearly Meeting 1681-1981. Haverford, PA: Friends Historical Association, 1981.

A series of essays dealing with crucial periods in the history of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Appendices include chronologies and names of clerks.

Moore, Rosemary Anne. The Light in Their Consciences: early Quakers in Britain, 1646-1666. University Park, PA : Pennsylvania State University Press, c2000.

An excellent intellectual history describing the formative period of Quakerism and the reforms initiated by George Fox which led to its change from a movement into a sect.

Nicholson, Frederick J. Quakers and the Arts: "A survey of attitudes of British Friends to the creative arts from the 17th to 20th century." London: Friends Home Service Committee, 1968.

Pendle Hill Pamphlets, Wallingford PA 19086

Individual Pendle Hill pamphlets take up Quaker concerns such as women's rights, race relations, Indian affairs, fine arts, theology, and contemporary issues. Usually a biographical entry about the author and bibliographical references are included.

Index of Pendle Hill Pamphlets 1934-1994.

Pomfret, John. The Province of West New Jersey, 1609-1702. Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1956.

This scholarly work is largely about Quakers in that region.

Quaker Crosscurrents : Three Hundred Years of Friends in the New York Yearly Meetings. Syracuse, N.Y.: Syracuse University Press, 1995.

The first comprehensive history of New York Yearly Meeting and the activities of Quakers within that region.

Sheeran, Michael J. Beyond Majority Rule: voteless decisions in the Religious Society of Friends. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, 1983.

Explanation and analysis of contemporary Friends' use of their traditional decision-making process by a Jesuit priest.

Simms, Ruthanna M. As Long as the Sun Gives Light. Dublin, Ind.: Associated Executive Committee of Friends on Indian Affairs, 1970.

This updates but does not revise the Kelsey volume; an account of Friends' work with American Indians in Oklahoma from 1917-1967.

Society of Friends. Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Records Committee. Guide to the Records of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting. Jack Eckert, comp. Haverford: Haverford College; Philadelphia: Records Committee of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting; Swarthmore: Swarthmore College, 1989.

This guide and the accompanying inventories give an idea of the scope of the records of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting itself and the constituent meetings. The glossary defines terms used in meeting records, e.g., "queries," "removal," etc. as well as more general terms important for an understanding of Philadelphia area Quakers, e.g., "Nicholites," "Keithian Quakers," etc.

Soderlund, Jean R. Quakers and Slavery : a Divided Spirit. Princeton, NJ : Princeton University Press, 1988, c1985.

Examines the process which led Friends to become pioneers in the antislavery movement and how that process evolved at the monthly meeting level.

Tolles, Frederick B. Meeting House and Counting House. New York: Norton Press, 1963.

A very illuminating volume about the Quaker upper class in Philadelphia.

Tolles, Frederick B. and Alderfer, E. Gordon. The Witness of William Penn. New York: Macmillan, 1957.

A good selection from Penn's writings.

Woolman, John. The Journal and Major Essays of John Woolman. Phillips Moulton, ed. Richmond, IN: Friends United Press, 1989.

A classic journal by an eighteenth-century Quaker abolitionist.

Worrall, Arthur J. Quakers in the Colonial Northeast. Hanover, N.H.: University Press of New England, 1980.

The first volume in a project to revise Rufus M. Jones' Quakers in the American Colonies. It is written in terse style, full of new conclusions.

Additional Biographical Studies

One can only mention a handful of biographical studies. It should be noted that much of the writing about 19th and 20th century Quakerism has been in terms of such studies.

Bacon, Margaret H. Let This Life Speak: the legacy of Henry Joel Cadbury. Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania Press, 1987.

___________. Valiant Friend: the life of Lucretia Mott. [2nd ed.] Philadelphia, Pa. : Friends General Conference, 1999.

Forbush, Bliss. Elias Hicks, Quaker Liberal. New York: Columbia University Press, 1956.

Hinson, E. Glenn. Love at the Heart of Things: a biography of Douglas V. Steere. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Pub.: Nashville, Tenn.: Upper Room Books: 1998.

Ingle, H. Larry. First Among Friends: George Fox & the Creation of Quakerism. New York: Oxford University Press, 1994.

This is the first full, scholarly biography of George Fox (1624-1691) to be written.

Kunze, Bonnelyn Y. Margaret Fell and the Rise of Quakerism. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 1994.

This volume claims Margaret Fell as a co-leader of early Quakerism.

Miller, Lawrence McK. Witness for humanity : a biography of Clarence E. Pickett. Wallingford, Pa. : Pendle Hill Pub., 1999.

This is the first full biography of one of the early executive secretaries of the American Friends Service Committee.

Peare, Catherine Owens. William Penn. Ann Arbor: Univ. of Michigan Press, 1966.

A very readable biography of Penn which contains a full bibliography and index.

Pickett, Clarence. For More Than Bread. Boston: Little Brown and Co., 1953.

An illuminating autobiographical discussion of the American Friends Service Committee and its work.

Vining, Elizabeth Gray. Friend of Life: the biography of Rufus M. Jones. Philadelphia: Philadephia Yearly Meeting, 1981, c1958.

Additional Suggestions for Personal Devotional Reading

Abbott, Margery Post. A certain kind of perfection : an anthology of evangelical and liberal Quaker writers. Wallingford, Pa. : Pendle Hill Pub. c1997.

Birkel, Michael, Silence and witness: the Quaker tradition, Maryknoll, N.Y.: Orbis Books, 2004.

An excellent introduction to the Society of Friends, especially for those who are familiar with other forms of organized religion. Thoughtful and clear.

Foster, Richard J. The Celebration of Discipline: the path to spiritual growth. San Francisco: Harper and Row, 1978.

Horn, Helen Steere. There is a Fountain : a Quaker life in process. Wallingford, Pa. : Pendle Hill Pamphlet No. 329, Pendle Hill Pub., [1996].

Jones, Rufus M. A Call to What is Vital. New York: Macmillan, 1949.

___________. The Faith and Practice of the Quakers. Richmond, IN: Friends United Press, 1980.

Kelly, Thomas. A Testament of Devotion. HarperSan Francisco, 1996, c1992.

Steere, Douglas V. Dimensions of Prayer. Nashville, Tenn.: Upper Room Books, 1997.

___________. Prayer and Worship. Richmond, Ind.: Friends United Press, 1978.

___________. Quaker Spirituality: selected writings. New York: Paulist Press, 1984.

Vining, Elizabeth Gray. The World in Tune. Wallingford, PA: Pendle Hill Pub., 1994.

Periodicals

The Friend (London), 1843-. New Premier Press, 150 Southampton Row London WC1B 5BQ United Kingdom.

Friends Journal, 1955-. 1216 Arch Street, 2A, Philadelphia, PA 19102-2835.

Quaker History: The Bulletin of Friends Historical Association, 1906-. Friends Historical Association, Haverford College Library, 370 Lancaster Ave., Haverford, PA 19041.

Quaker Life, 1960-. 101 Quaker Hill Drive, Richmond, IN 47374-1980.

Fiction

Some fiction by Quaker authors provides valuable insight into Quaker life, e.g., books by Daisy Newman; stories by Margaret Lacey.

Caulfield, Anna. Quakers in Fiction: an annotated bibliography. Northampton, MA: Pittenbruach Press, 1993.

Quaker Bookstores

Compiled and revised by: The Quaker Collection; Haverford College

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