Identifier

MA 22

Dates

1932-1991

Extent

2.52 linear feet (6 document cases)

Abstract

Theodore W. Schultz (1902–1998) was a Nobel Prize–winning economist whose work reshaped understanding of agricultural economics, economic development, and human capital. Raised on a South Dakota farm, Schultz’s early experiences with agricultural hardship influenced his lifelong focus on the economic conditions of farmers and the role of education and skills in productivity. After earning advanced degrees from the University of Wisconsin, he held influential academic positions at Iowa State University and the University of Chicago, where he helped establish the university as a leading center of economic thought. Awarded the 1979 Nobel Prize in Economics, Schultz authored numerous foundational works and advised major institutions on economic policy. The Theodore W. Schultz Collection and related materials document his scholarly output, correspondence, and professional collaborations, providing valuable insight into his intellectual legacy and the development of modern economic theory on agriculture, human capital, and development.

Historical Note

Theodore W. Schultz (1902–1998) was an influential economist known for his work on human capital and agricultural economics. Born on April 30, 1902, in Arlington, South Dakota, he was the eldest of eight children. Due to labor shortages during World War I, he worked on the family farm instead of attending high school. The agricultural depression of the 1920s motivated him to study the economic factors affecting farmers. He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from South Dakota State University in 1926 and went on to the University of Wisconsin, where he completed his master’s and doctoral degrees in 1930.

Schultz began his teaching career in agricultural economics at Iowa State University, later becoming head of the Department of Economic Sociology. During World War II, he and his colleagues produced reports on government policies affecting agriculture. One controversial report recommended substituting margarine for butter, leading to opposition from the Iowa dairy industry and college administration. In 1943, Schultz successfully fought against censorship but resigned in protest along with several colleagues. He then joined the University of Chicago, where he became department chairman and played a key role in establishing Chicago as a center for economic innovation. In 1952, he was named a Charles L. Hutchinson Distinguished Service Professor, a position he held until retiring as emeritus professor in 1972.

Schultz pioneered the concept of human capital, arguing that investment in education and skills enhances economic productivity. He also challenged traditional views on agriculture, emphasizing its role in economic development beyond just food production. In 1979, he was awarded the Nobel Prize in Economics, shared with Arthur Lewis, for his groundbreaking research on economic development and human capital. He also received the Francis A. Walker Medal in 1972, a prestigious honor given by the American Economic Association every five years. Schultz authored and edited numerous books and served as an adviser to major foundations, federal agencies, the White House, and the military. He received five honorary doctorates, including one from South Dakota State University.

Schultz married Esther Werth, a fellow South Dakota native and SDSU graduate. They had two daughters, Elaine and Margaret, and one son, T. Paul. Though he formally retired in 1972, he remained active in research until 1990, when a hip fracture left him bedridden. He passed away on February 26, 1998, in Evanston, Illinois, due to complications from pneumonia.

Content Notes

The Theodore W. Schultz Collection documents the extensive contributions of Schultz to economics, particularly in agricultural productivity, human capital, and economic development. The collection spans from 1932 to 1992, with the bulk consisting of Schultz's personal collection of articles, primarily offprints from journals, many bearing his signature. Included are a few articles authored by others that review Schultz's work or contain biographical material. This archive is a valuable resource for understanding Schultz's intellectual impact and the evolution of economic thought in these fields.

The general series includes correspondence (1975-1989) and a small number of collected works. Notably, the correspondence contains a letter from Schultz to Dr. Leon Raney, Dean of Libraries at South Dakota State University, discussing the creation of a bibliography of his works. His publications include books, reports, and reprinted articles on key economic themes such as foreign aid, agricultural development, investment in human capital, and educational policies. Prominent works include Agricultural Productivity in Low-Income Countries(1981), The Economics of Being Poor(1980), and Investing in People(1981).

The Dale Hoover Collection on Theodore Schultz consists of draft articles and conference papers, with some article reprints. Collected by Dale Hoover, a faculty member at North Carolina State University's Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, this material includes highlighted passages, annotations by Hoover, and correspondence from Schultz. Schultz sought Hoover's input on drafts before publication. Additionally, the Schultz Symposium materials (1980-1981) reflect continued discussions on his economic theories. This collection is significant for researchers studying economic policy, agricultural economics, and human capital investment, offering firsthand insights into Schultz's academic and professional influence.

SDSU Archives and Special Collections

This document is a descriptive inventory of the collection in the SDSU Archives and Special Collections. It contains:

  • An overview of the collection, including information about the person or organization and a brief description of the materials and subjects found within.
  • A detailed inventory listing, organized by boxes and folders.
  • Information on how to access the materials, including any restrictions or special conditions.

In most cases, the materials in the collections have not been digitized and are not available online. If you would like to know more about the contents of the collection, please contact the SDSU Archives at:

Language

English

Publisher

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Rights

In Copyright: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Materials in this collection may be subject to Title 17, Section 108 of the United States Copy-right Act. Users are responsible for ensuring compliance with copyright, privacy, publicity, trademark, and other applicable rights for their intended use. Obtaining all necessary permis-sions is the user's responsibility. Written authorization from the copyright and/or other rights holders is required for publication, distribution, or any use of protected materials beyond what is permitted under fair use.

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