Alfred J. Kahn collection

Alfred J. Kahn (1919-2009) was a noted scholar, educator, author, advocate and consultant in the field of social work, including social policy, social planning, juvenile delinquency, and social work education. In 1952, he received the first doctorate in social welfare granted by New York State at the Columbia University School of Social Work. He taught at the School of Social Work for 57 years and is credited with being a founder of the field of comparative U.S. and international social policy. Dr. Kahn was also co-director of the Cross-National Studies Program and director of the doctoral program at the School of Social Work. His other, concurrent, academic appointments included Smith College School of Social Work (1950-1954) and Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service (1990-2001). He was a long-time consultant to the New York state Citizens' Committee for Children and was later appointed chairman of the Committee on Child Development Research and Public Policy of the National Academy of Science. Alfred J. Kahn also served as a consultant to numerous federal, state, local and non-governmental agencies as well as international governments and organizations. Dr. Kahn received numerous awards and honors from universities and professional associations. These included honorary degrees from a number of institution, including the University of York, England. Alfred J. Kahn's academic degrees included a B.S.S. from City College of New York in 1939; a B.Heb.Lit. from Seminary College of Jewish Studies in 1940; and an M.S. from Columbia University School of Social Work in 1946 and a D.SW in 1952.