Robert Digges Wimberly Connor
R. D. W. Connor, first Archivist of the United States
1st Archivist of the United States
In office
October 10, 1934 – September 15, 1941
PresidentFranklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded byPosition established
Succeeded bySolon J. Buck
Personal details
Born(1878-09-26)September 26, 1878
Wilson, North Carolina, United States
DiedFebruary 25, 1950(1950-02-25) (aged 71)

Robert Digges Wimberly Connor (September 26, 1878 – February 25, 1950) was an American historian who served as the first state archivist of North Carolina from 1907 to 1921, and later as the first Archivist of the United States from 1934 to 1941.

Life and career

Site of Connor's birthplace, now a funeral home

Connor was born to Henry G. Connor and Kate Whitfield Connor on September 26, 1878, in Wilson, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1899. He married Sadie Hanes of Mocksville, North Carolina on December 23, 1902.[1]

In his role as the inaugural secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, Connor lobbied the North Carolina General Assembly for a building and funding for what became the State Archives of North Carolina.[2] He served as the first state archivist of North Carolina from 1907 to 1921.[3]

Connor left the North Carolina Historical Commission to become the Kenan Professor of History and Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.[4] He held that position until 1934, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him to head the National Archives.

Connor served as the third president of the Society of American Archivists between 1941 and 1943.[5]

He died on February 25, 1950.

References

  1. ↑ Jones, H. G. (1970). Powell, William S. (ed.). Dictionary of North Carolina Biography. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-1329-X.
  2. ↑ Brundage, W. Fitzhugh (2005). The Southern Past: A Clash of Race and Memory. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. pp. 110-111. ISBN 978-0-674-01876-1.
  3. ↑ Jones, H. G. (2006). Powell, William S. (ed.). Encyclopedia of North Carolina. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 978-0-8078-3071-0.
  4. ↑ "R. D. W. Connor Papers, 1890-1950". finding-aids.lib.unc.edu. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
  5. ↑ "SAA Presidents". 2014. Retrieved 14 August 2014.


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