Holtom, Daniel Clarence, 1884-1962

Daniel Clarence Holtom was among the first American scholars to study Shinto in Japan. Born in Michigan in 1884, he earned degrees from Kalamazoo College, the University of Chicago, and Newton Theological Seminary. After being ordained in the Baptist ministry in 1910, he went to Japan as a missionary where he was professor of modern languages at Tokyo Gakuin, professor of church history in the Tokyo Japanese Theological Seminary, and professor of the history of religion and church history in the Kanto Gakuin of Yokohama. He was dean of theology in the Aoyama Gakuin of Tokyo from 1936-1940. When he returned to the U.S. he was Haskell Lecturer at the University of Chicago, then lectured at Colgate-Rochester Divinity School and taught Japanese language at Redlands University. He died in 1962 in San Gabriel, Calif.

From the description of Daniel Clarence Holtom papers, 1910-1962 (bulk 1910-1950). (Claremont Colleges Library). WorldCat record id: 170936037

Biography / Administrative History

Daniel Clarence Holtom was among the first American scholars to study Shinto in Japan. He was born in Michigan in 1884, earned degrees from Kalamazoo College, The University of Chicago, and Newton Theological Seminary. He was ordained in the Baptist ministry in 1910 and went immediately to Japan as a missionary. In Japan he was professor of modern languages at Tokyo Gakuin, professor of church history in the Tokyo Japanese Theological Seminary, and professor of the history of religion and church history in the Kanto Gakuin of Yokohama. Dr. Holtom was dean of theology in the Aoyama Gakuin of Tokyo from 1936-1940. When he returned to the United States he was Haskell Lecturer at The University of Chicago then lectured at Colgate-Rochester Divinity School and taught Japanese language at Redlands University. He died in 1962 in San Gabriel, California.

The thesis he submitted to The University of Chicago in 1919 was later published as The Political Philosophy of Modern Shintō, A Study of the State Religion of Japan, by the Asiatic Society of Japan in 1922.

Sources: "Dr. Holtom, Missionary and Educator, Dies." Los Angeles Times, Aug. 18, 1962, pg. B8

From the guide to the Daniel Clarence Holtom papers, 1910-1962, 1910-1950, (Claremont Colleges. Library. Special Collections, Honnold/Mudd Library.)