Robert Douglas Brackenridge (1932 - ) is a Presbyterian educator and historian in Texas. Douglas was born on August 6, 1932 in Youngstown, Ohio. He obtained his Masters of Divinity and Masters of Theology from the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary in 1957 and 1959. Brackenridge served as pastor at the Crossroads Presbyterian Church in Washington, PA from 1957-1960. Following this post, he was awarded a Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow in 1962. In 1962, Brackenridge began his teaching career as an assistant professor of the department of religion at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX. Brackenridge continued to teach at Trinity University for 38 years, becoming an associate professor in 1966, a professor in 1974, and the chair of the department of religion in 1977. Brackenridge retired from teaching in 2000.
Brackenridge’s research interests primarily include three areas of American religious history: the relationships between Presbyterians and the Latter-Day Saints of Utah in the 19th and 20th centuries, the history of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation, and the history of Presbyterian missions in Texas and their work with Mexican Americans in the Southwest. These interests have produced many publications including Westminster College of Salt Lake City: from Presbyterian Mission to Independent College (1998), The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Foundation: a Bicentennial History (1999), and Iglesia Presbiteriana: a History of Presbyterians and Mexican Americans in the Southwest (1974).
From the guide to the R. Douglas Brackenridge research papers 2010-001., 1886-1975, (Austin Seminary Archives, Stitt Library, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary.)
