Oliver Wendell Holmes (archivist)

Oliver Wendell Holmes (February 2, 1902 – November 25, 1981) was an American archivist and historian, and served as executive director of the National Historical Publications Commission from 1961 to 1971.

Oliver Wendell Holmes
Close-up image from Holmes' National Archives identification card, 1941.
Born(1902-02-02)February 2, 1902
Saint Paul, Minnesota
DiedNovember 25, 1981(1981-11-25) (aged 79)
Washington, D.C.
Other namesOliver W. Holmes
OccupationArchivist; Director, National Historical Publications Commission

Holmes was born in St. Paul, Minnesota to Swedish-born parents, and was raised on a farm in the southeastern part of the state.[1] He received his bachelor's degree from Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota in 1922, then worked toward a Ph.D. in history at Columbia University in New York. While in school at Columbia he began working as an encyclopedia writer, delaying the completion of his graduate degree until 1956.[2]

In 1936, Holmes began working for the National Archives, serving in positions of increasing responsibility over the course of his career. In 1961 he was appointed executive director of the National Historical Publications Commission, where he remained until his retirement in 1972.[3] Holmes was also deeply involved in professional service, and was elected fellow and president of the Society of American Archivists (SAA) in 1958.[4]

References
  1. Rhoads, James B. (April 1982). "Oliver Wendell Holmes" (PDF). Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society. 92 (1): 28. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  2. "Oliver Holmes, 79, Historian". New York Times. November 27, 1981. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  3. Rundell, Walter (Spring 1982). "Oliver W. Holmes". American Archivist. 45 (2): 248. doi:10.17723/aarc.45.2.y54424166452k812.
  4. "Presidents". Society of American Archivists. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
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