Title: Quirinus Breen Collection, 1933-1975
ID: COLL/023
Creator: Breen, Quirinus (1896-1975)
Extent: 1.0 Box. More info below.
Arrangement: Folder level description
Professor of history at the University of Oregon, former minister in the Christian Reformed Church. A biographical sketch; newspaper clippings explaining the reasons for Breen's resignation from his pastorate in the Christian Reformed Church; a speech entitled "My Reflections on Professor Ralph Janssen and on the Janssen Case of 1922"; and articles on subjects such as Calvinism, Dutch Colonialism, Humanism, Roman Law, Philosophy, Protestantism, and the Renaissance. Also includes speeches delivered at the memorial service of Q. Breen.
Son of Rev. Evert Breen, Quirinus Breen was born on March 3, 1896. He graduated from Calvin College in 1917 and then entered Calvin Seminary. While attending Calvin Seminary, Breen became a pupil of Professor Dr. Ralph Janssen. Breen bore witness to the infamous “Janssen Case” at the 1922 Christian Reformed Synod. At the time of the trial Breen was a pastor at Twelfth Street, Grand Rapids. Disillusioned from the trial, Breen bid farewell to the Christian Reformed Church. Breen received his doctorate from University of Chicago in 1931, receiving his Doctor of Philosophy degree. Breen taught at Hillsdale College, Albany College, the University of Oregon, and Grand Valley State.
Breen fell victim to Parkinson’s disease and passed away in Eugene, Oregon in 1975. He left behind his wife, Helena Marguerite (DeValois) and children –Elizabeth Edna and Quentin L. Breen. He was grandfather of Theresa L. Miller, Bernard Q. Petersen, Debra M. Petersen, Gregory A. Petersen, Kurt J. Petersen, and Katherine H. Breen.
