As head of the Department of Social and International Relations for the American Unitarian Association (AUA), Rev. Dr. Robert Cloutman Dexter (1887-1955) visited Prague in 1937 and 1938 — at that time home of the world’s largest Unitarian congregation. He was stricken by the plight of Jews living in the annexed Sudetenland. Dexter and the AUA launched a humanitarian mission to aid refugees from this German-occupied territory. After a long search for candidates, the AUA recruited Martha and Waitstill Sharp for a six-month mission. Dexter’s institutional groundwork and reports from the Sharps’ work in Czechoslovakia helped establish the Unitarian Service Committee (USC) in May 1940, which continues to support humanitarian missions today as the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee.
Exhibited Items :
“New Unitarian Social Secretary”
Boston Evening Transcript, 2 July 1927
Article on the appointment of Robert Cloutman Dexter (1887-1955)
Brown University Archives
Robert Cloutman Dexter to Clarence E. Pickett (American Friends Service Committee)
Telegram, 5 December 1938
Message regarding a meeting to establish a program that would send representatives to Czechoslovakia.
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
Clarence E. Pickett (American Friends Service Committee) to Robert Cloutman Dexter
Telegram, 5 December 1938
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“Main Arenas of War—The World Background”
The New York Times, 3 March, 1940
Maps depicting Germany’s territorial spread
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“How the Commission was Planned,” by Robert C. Dexter
How Americans Helped a Nation in Crisis, Commission for Service in Czechoslovakia, 1939
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“An Appeal for Service to Czecho-slovakia”
American Unitarian Association and American Friends Service Committee, January 1939
Fundraising appeal pamphlet
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“Laying the Groundwork,” by Waitstill H. Sharp
Journey to Freedom : The First Chapter of Unitarian Service, Unitarian Service Committee, circa 1941
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“We can HELP the homeless millions of Europe … NOW”
Unitarian Service Committee, circa 1940
Fundraising appeal pamphlet
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“Helping the Victims of War : Through Personal Service and Personal Giving”
Unitarian Service Committee, circa 1941
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“And Now—The Second Mile : November 1940 to May 1941”
Unitarian Service Committee, 1941
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“Our Present Program”
Standing By: Monthly Bulletin of the Unitarian Service Committee, no. 15, July 1943
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers
“A Voice for the Refugee”
Standing By: Monthly Bulletin of the Unitarian Service Committee, no. 11, March 1943
Robert Cloutman and Elisabeth Anthony Dexter Papers