Wilder, Robert Parmelee, 1863-1938.

Robert Parmelee Wilder was born in India of missionary parents in 1863. He earned the A.B. and A.M. degrees from Princeton University (1886, 1888) and the B.D. degree from Union Theological Seminary (1891). He was a founder of the Student Volunteer Movement (1886), missionary in India (1893-1902), traveling secretary for Student Christian Movements in Europe (1903-1916), secretary of Religious Work Department, YMCA (1916-1919), General Secretary of the Student Volunteer Movement (1919-1927) and Executive Secretary of the Near East Christian Council (1927-1933). He died on March 27, 1938.

From the description of Robert Parmelee Wilder papers, 1840-1940 (inclusive). (Yale University). WorldCat record id: 702165225

• 1863: Born in India of missionary parents: Royal Gould Wilder and Eliza Jane (Smith) Wilder
• 1886: A.B., Princeton University
• 1886: Instrumental in the founding of the Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions at Mt. Hermon Conference
• 1886 - 1887 : Travel to colleges and universities throughout the U.S. on behalf of the Student Volunteer Movement
• 1888: A.M., Princeton University
• 1891: B.D., Union Theological Seminary
• 1891 - 1892 : Travel in Europe; instrumental in founding of British Student Volunteer Missionary Union
• 1892: Married to Helene Sophie Olsson who became mother of his four daughters: Ruth, Grace, Elizabeth and Dorothy
• 1893 - 1897 : Work in India as secretary of the college department of the Y.M.C.A.
• 1897 - 1899 : In the U.S.
• 1899 - 1902 : General Secretary of the Indian National Council of Y.M.C.A.'s. Forced to return from India due to ill health
• 1903 - 1904 : Traveling secretary for Student Christian Movement of Norway, Sweden, Denmark and Finland
• 1905 - 1916 : Work with the Student Christian Movement of Great Britain and Ireland as Traveling Secretary, London Secretary and Evangelistic Secretary. During this period Wilder also worked for the World Student Christian Federation, speaking at universities throughout continental Europe.
• 1916 - 1919 : Senior Secretary of Religious Work Department of International Committee of Y.M.C.A. (in U.S.A.)
• 1919 - 1927 : General Secretary of Student Volunteer Movement for Foreign Missions
• 1927 - 1933 : Executive Secretary of Near East Christian Council
• 1934 - 1935 : Spoke at conferences for the Intervarsity Fellowship of Evangelical Unions in Great Britain
• 1938 Mar 27: Died

Biographical information taken from Who Was Who in America, Vol. 1, 1897-1942

From the guide to the Robert Parmelee Wilder Papers, 1840-1940, (Yale University Divinity School Library)