Robert Watson Wood was born on May 21, 1923 in Youngstown, Ohio. He served as an infantryman during World War II and after recovering from battle wounds returned to the University of Pennsylvania. While there he received a bachelor's degree in economics in 1948. In 1951, he graduated from Oberlin Seminary and was ordained by the Congregational Church at Fair Haven, Vermont. Reverend Wood's life work was as a pioneer in homosexual rights and advocacy, especially within religious institutions. In 1960, he wrote the ground-breaking book "Christ and the Homosexual" which he not only published under his own name, but included his photograph on the dust jacket and listed the name of his parish. This decision came at a time when few advocates were willing to risk the reprisal, condemnation, or backlash that came with publicly acknowledging their homosexuality. Wood was vocal on the topic of gay rights in many different settings such as within the United Church of Christ, within Christianity in general, in the political arena and on local and national news outlets. Wood’s voluminous writings, many of which can be found in the collection, demonstrate his dedication and tenacity sustained over five decades of work on behalf of homosexual rights and religious tolerance. Robert Wood created a family with his life partner, artist Hugh "Buck" Coulter. They met in 1962 and the couple remained devoted to each other until Coulter’s death in 1989. During Reverend Wood's final years, he resided in a retirement community in New Hampshire.

Broadway Tabernacle (staff), New York, NY

1951-1953

First Church, Spring Valley, NY

1953-1965

Zion United Church of Christ, Newark, NJ

1965-1978

Union Congregational, Maynard, MA.

1978-1986