Kohs (Samuel) Papers, 1907-1984

Collection context

Summary

Title:
Samuel Kohs papers
Dates:
1907-1984
Creators:
Kohs, S.C. (Samuel Calmin)
Abstract:
The Samuel Kohs papers document the rich history and contributions of a noted psychologist and social worker.
Extent:
12.55 linear feet 10 cartons, 1 oversize folder
Language:
Collection materials are in English .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Samuel Kohs papers, BANC MSS 2010/787, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The Samuel Kohs papers document the rich history and contributions of a noted psychologist and social worker. These records consist of Kohs' professional and personal papers and are divided accordingly into two series:

  • Series I: Professional Papers
  • Series II: Personal Papers
Samuel Kohs' professional papers include correspondence; course outlines and course materials; publications and manuscripts; working papers, articles, and addresses; association and conference papers; and general reference materials. The series also contains materials from the Bureau of War Records, as well as information about Jewish participation in World War II. Samuel Kohs' personal papers include correspondence with family and friends; awards and tributes; photographs; and bulletins and newspaper clippings.

Biographical / historical:

A noted psychologist and social worker, Samuel Kohs was born in New York City. From 1918 to 1922, he was a professor at Reed College and at the University of Oregon. During this time, he was also a psychologist for the Portland Court of Domestic Relations. After he left Portland, from 1924 to 1926, Kohs was the executive director of the Jewish Welfare Federation in California's Alameda County. In 1925, he founded the Oakland Placement and Guidance Service. After he left the Jewish Welfare Federation in 1926, he served as the executive director for the Jewish Family Service Agency in San Francisco. Leaving there in 1928, he relocated to Brooklyn, New York, where he worked for the next five years at the Federation of Jewish Charities. In 1928, Kohs became the eastern representative on the Jewish Committee for Personal Service in the state institutions of California. In New York City, he also served as the chair of the Department of Social Technology in New York University's Graduate School of Social Work. From 1938 to 1940, Kohs directed the Resettlement Division of the National Refugee Service (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society). From 1939 to 1941, he worked on the Refugee Service Committee in Los Angeles. After he left the Refugee Service Committee, he worked as the administrative field secretary of the Jewish Welfare Board's Western States Division. He was employed in this capacity until 1956. During part of this time, from 1942 to 1947, Kohs was the director of the Bureau of War Records, in New York City. In addition to his time as the head of various organizations, Kohs also compiled information about Jewish participation in World War II; invented the Kohs Block design intelligence test; the IQ slide rule; and designed the ethical discrimination test.

Acquisition information:
The Samuel Kohs papers were transferred to The Bancroft Library from the Judah L. Magnes Museum in 2010.
Processing information:

Processed by Jeffrey P. Sahaida in 2015.

Arrangement:

Arranged to the folder level.

Accruals:

No additions are expected.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Jeffrey P. Sahaida
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2015-02-03 17:05:57 -0800 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Materials in this collection may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley 94720-6000. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Samuel Kohs papers, BANC MSS 2010/787, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481