Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Processing History
Biography
Collection Scope and Content Summary
Collection Arrangement
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: Gordon and Anna Watkins papers
Date (inclusive): 1903-1971, undated
Date (bulk): 1956-1968
Collection Number: UA 081
Creator:
Watkins, Anna, 1884-1970
Creator:
Watkins, Gordon S, b. 1889
Extent:
5.75 linear feet
(5 document boxes, 2 flat storage boxes, 1 map case folder)
Repository: Rivera Library. Special
Collections
Department.
Abstract: This collection is comprised of manuscripts,
correspondence, photographs, documents, certificates, and other material regarding
Gordon and Anna Watkins from 1903-1971. Includes both personal and university
related items. Material reflecting the Watkins' interest in the field of economics
and his tenure as UCR's first Provost is evidenced through the various publications
and press clippings present in the collection. Memorandums, correspondence, and
sound recordings documenting the Watkins' accomplishments and time at UCR are also
included such as items regarding the establishment and construction of UCR as well
as Watkins House.
Languages: The collection is in English.
Access
This collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Copyright has not been assigned to the University of California, Riverside Libraries,
Special Collections & Archives. All requests for permission to publish or quote
from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections
& Archives. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Regents of the
University of California as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to
include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by
the researcher.
Preferred Citation
[identification of item]. Gordon and Anna Watkins papers, UA 081. University
of California, Riverside Libraries, Special Collections & Archives, University
of California, Riverside.
Acquisition Information
Information unavailable.
Processing History
Processed by Melissa Huntington, 2010. Revised by Chuck Wilson, 2012.
Biography
Gordon Samuel Watkins was born on March 9, 1889 in Brynmawr, Wales. Watkins worked
with his father in the coal mines from a young age and began saving his money to
better his situation. In 1906, at the age of seventeen, he paid thirty-five dollars
for a steam ship ticket to the United States. Once in the States, he worked at
numerous places including a railroad machine shop which enabled him to pay his way
through preparatory school at Fargo College Academy in Fargo, North Dakota and
Wheaton College Academy in Wheaton, Illinois. Watkins later moved to and worked as a
lumberjack in Montana which helped pay his way through the University of Montana
where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and met Anna Davis. Anna was born on
December 22, 1884 in Mount Etna, Iowa and like her husband she completed her
undergraduate work at the University of Montana earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in
economics. The couple was married in 1917 after Gordon received his Masters of Arts
degree from the University of Illinois. Gordon later went on to earn his doctorate
from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gordon Watkins began his career as an educator when his alma mater, the University of
Illinois, hired him as an economics professor. In 1925, he joined the University of
California, Los Angeles (UCLA) staff as a Professor of Economics, a position he held
from 1925-1949. Gordon authored and co-authored over a dozen books on labor
economics and became a leading figure in the field. Anna, who also had a background
in economics, assisted on many of Gordon's books, articles, and speeches. Watkins
academic and literary contributions on labor economics led both Franklin D.
Roosevelt and Harry Truman to summon his assistance with fact finding and labor
arbitration during the disputes both men faced with the railroads.
In 1949, Gordon was named the first provost of the University of California,
Riverside (UCR) and was instrumental in establishing the College of Letters and
Sciences. He spent months traversing the country to locate the best building plans,
curriculum, and faculty for the campus which opened its doors on February 15, 1954.
Gordon retired in 1956 after seven years of involvement with the campus. Anna was
also deeply involved with the formation of UCR as she worked alongside her husband,
assisting him with campus planning activities and events. She was an active member
of the Citizen’s University Committee, Campus Club, and the interdenominational
religious center that Gordon helped establish. A devout Congregationalist, Gordon
reached out to the academic, religious, and local communities to support his vision
of a religious center at UCR. In 1966 his vision was finally realized with the
opening of Watkins House on campus.
Gordon Watkins died on May 5, 1970 in Santa Barbara, California and was survived by
his wife Anna, until her death later that year in August.
Chronology
1884: |
Anna Davis was born in Mount Etna, Iowa on December 22nd. |
1889: |
Gordon S. Watkins was born in Brynmawr, Wales on March 9th. |
1906: |
Gordon Watkins came to the United States. |
1914: |
Gordon Watkins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of
Montana.
|
1915: |
Gordon Watkins earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of
Illinois.
|
1917: |
Gordon Watkins married Anna Davis. |
1918: |
Gordon Watkins earned a doctorate from the University of
Pennsylvania.
|
1925-1949: |
Gordon Watkins was a Professor of Economics at UCLA. |
1949: |
Gordon Watkins was named the first provost at UCR. |
1956: |
Gordon Watkins retired. |
1966: |
Watkins House opened at UCR in honor of Gordon and Anna Watkins. |
1970: |
Gordon Watkins died in Santa Barbara, California on May 5th. |
1970: |
Anna Watkins died in Santa Barbara, California on August 7th. |
Collection Scope and Content Summary
This collection is comprised of manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, documents,
certificates, and other material regarding Gordon and Anna Watkins from 1903-1971.
Includes both personal and university related items. Material reflecting the
Watkins' interest in the field of economics is evidenced through the various
publications and press clippings present in the collection. Memorandums,
correspondence, and sound recordings documenting the Watkins' accomplishments and
time at UCR are also included such as items regarding the establishment and
construction of UCR as well as Watkins House.
Collection Arrangement
This collection is arranged into two series. The series arrangement is as
follows:
- Series 1. Personal papers, 1903-1970, undated.
- Series 2. Professional papers, 1920-1971, undated.
Indexing Terms
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
Subjects
College buildings.
University of California, Riverside.
Watkins, Anna, 1884-1970
Watkins, Gordon S, b. 1889
Genres and Forms of Materials
Clippings (information artifacts).
Correspondence.
Manuscripts.
Photographs.