Charles M. Thompson Papers, 1892-1963 | University of Illinois Archives

Description: Papers of Charles M. Thompson (1877-1963) A.B. '09, A.M. '10, Ph.D. '13, Dean of the College of Commerce & Business Administration (1919-1943), including correspondence; reports, clippings; manuscripts for articles, speeches & books (1921-59); publications; texts used in schools and colleges (1892-1912); and photographs relating to appointments (1914-38), Lincoln Way investigation (1911-14), Red Grange (1925), possible appointment as Secretary of Commerce (1928); the Chicago Traction settlement (1929), University presidency (1929-34), Urbana chamber of Commerce distinguished citizenship award (1934), Illinois Central educational program (1937), economics department chairman (1938), Illinois State Council of Defense (1942), retirement (1942-43), Illinois Post-War Planning Commission (1942-43), synthetic rubber program (1942), Commerce faculty rating sheets (1942-43), Veterans' Education Appeals Board (1950-57), and articles on economics & historical topics.  The series contains a 295-page autobiography about Southern Illinois family, village life, Spanish-American War military service, bakery work, school teaching, study at Illinois & Harvard, academic advancement, friends, students, philosophy of life, public & community service organizations, finances, the academic mind, public speaking, public service, political activities & university affairs; support by former students, businessman & commerce deans for the presidency (4-6/1933) & copies of Economic Overtones (1953-62), Thompson's monthly newsletter on his economic philosophy of "individualistic free enterprise".