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Alvin Schorr papers

 Collection
Identifier: SW0103

Scope and Content

The Alvin Schorr papers reflect his influential career in the field of social work, in both the government and academic sectors, from the 1940's through the 1980s. The collection includes Schorr's books, (some in manuscript form), articles, and speeches, his professional correspondence files, and working files from his government and private-sector positions and activities. The collection documents his interest in public social policy issues, particularly those related to income maintenance. Files from his work in the Office of Economic Opportunity and the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare reflect the growth of AFDC, the War on Poverty, and the Poor People's March on Washington in 1968. Also represented are Schorr's association with the New York Community Service Society and the Center for Studies of Income Maintenance Policy and his involvement with the 1972 George McGovern presidential campaign.

Dates

  • Creation: 1948-1983

Language of Materials

English

Use of Materials

Open for use in Social Welfare History Archives reading room.

Copyright

Please contact the Archivist for copyright information.

Biographical Note

Alvin Schorr was born in New York City in 1921. He earned his BSS from the City University of New York and his MSW from Washington University in St. Louis. In 1958, Schorr began working for the federal government as a Family Life Specialist in the Social Security Administration. Starting in 1963, Schorr was the Social Security Administration's Acting Chief of Long Range Research, and in 1965 he moved to the Office of Economic Planning. In 1967, he moved to the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Individual and Family Services.

In 1968, Schorr was appointed Professor of Social Policy and Director of the Center for Studies of Income Maintenance Policy at Brandeis University. In 1970, Schorr became Dean of the New York University School of Social Work, and from 1973 to 1977 he was the General Director of the New York Community Service Society. From 1979 through 1991, Schorr was the Leonard Mayo Professor of Family and Child Welfare at Case Western Reserve University. Schorr published more than 300 articles and ten books, and served as editor-in-chief of the journal, Social Work. Schorr died in 2016.

Extent

20 Linear Feet

Abstract

The Alvin Schorr papers reflect his influential career in the field of social work, in both the government and academic sectors, from the 1940's through the 1980s. The collection includes Schorr's books, (some in manuscript form), articles, and speeches, his professional correspondence files, and working files from his government and private-sector positions and activities.

Physical Location

This collection is stored off site and requires 3 business days for retrieval

Other Finding Aid

Unpublished inventory available. Please contact Archives for more information.

Title
Alvin Schorr papers, 1948-1983
Date
June 2004
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
English

Revision Statements

  • 4/2020: minor edits

Collecting Area Details

Contact The Social Welfare History Archives Collecting Area

Contact:

612-624-6394