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Gordon and Anna Watkins papers
UA 081
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Title: Gordon and Anna Watkins papers
Date (inclusive): 1903-1971, undated
Date (bulk): 1956-1968
Collection Number: UA 081
Creator:
Watkins, Anna, 1884-1970
Creator:
Watkins, Gordon S., 1889-1970
Extent:
6.21 linear feet
(7 boxes, 1 flat file folder)
Repository:
Rivera Library. Special Collections Department.
Riverside, CA 92517-5900
Abstract: This collection is comprised of manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, documents, certificates, and other material regarding
Gordon and Anna Watkins from 1903-1971. Includes both personal and university related items. Material reflecting the Watkins'
interest in the field of economics and his tenure as UCR's first Provost is evidenced through the various publications and
press clippings present in the collection. Memorandums, correspondence, and sound recordings documenting the Watkins' accomplishments
and time at UCR are also included such as items regarding the establishment and construction of UCR as well as Watkins House.
Languages: The collection is primarily in English, with select items in German.
This collection is open for research.
Copyright Unknown: Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction,
and/or commercial use, of some materials may be restricted by gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and
publicity rights, licensing agreement(s), and/or trademark rights. Distribution or reproduction of materials protected by
copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. To the extent other restrictions
apply, permission for distribution or reproduction from the applicable rights holder is also required. Responsibility for
obtaining permissions, and for any use rests exclusively with the user.
[identification of item], [date if possible]. Gordon and Anna Watkins papers (UA 081). Special Collections & University Archives,
University of California, Riverside.
Provenance unknown.
Processed by Melissa Huntington, 2010. Revised by Chuck Wilson, University Archivist, 2012.
Gordon Samuel Watkins was born on March 9, 1889 in Brynmawr, Wales. Watkins worked with his father in the coal mines from
a young age and began saving his money to better his situation. In 1906, at the age of seventeen, he paid thirty-five dollars
for a steam ship ticket to the United States. Once in the States, he worked at numerous places including a railroad machine
shop which enabled him to pay his way through preparatory school at Fargo College Academy in Fargo, North Dakota and Wheaton
College Academy in Wheaton, Illinois. Watkins later moved to and worked as a lumberjack in Montana which helped pay his way
through the University of Montana where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree and met Anna Davis. Anna was born on December
22, 1884 in Mount Etna, Iowa and like her husband she completed her undergraduate work at the University of Montana earning
a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics. The couple was married in 1917 after Gordon received his Masters of Arts degree from
the University of Illinois. Gordon later went on to earn his doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania.
Gordon Watkins began his career as an educator when his alma mater, the University of Illinois, hired him as an economics
professor. In 1925, he joined the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) staff as a Professor of Economics, a position
he held from 1925-1949. Gordon authored and co-authored over a dozen books on labor economics and became a leading figure
in the field. Anna, who also had a background in economics, assisted on many of Gordon's books, articles, and speeches. Watkins
academic and literary contributions on labor economics led both Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman to summon his assistance
with fact finding and labor arbitration during the disputes both men faced with the railroads.
In 1949, Gordon was named the first provost of the University of California, Riverside (UCR) and was instrumental in establishing
the College of Letters and Sciences. He spent months traversing the country to locate the best building plans, curriculum,
and faculty for the campus which opened its doors on February 15, 1954. Gordon retired in 1956 after seven years of involvement
with the campus. Anna was also deeply involved with the formation of UCR as she worked alongside her husband, assisting him
with campus planning activities and events. She was an active member of the Citizen's University Committee, Campus Club, and
the interdenominational religious center that Gordon helped establish. A devout Congregationalist, Gordon reached out to the
academic, religious, and local communities to support his vision of a religious center at UCR. In 1966 his vision was finally
realized with the opening of Watkins House on campus.
Gordon Watkins died on May 5, 1970 in Santa Barbara, California and was survived by his wife Anna, until her death later that
year in August.
| 1884 | Anna Davis was born in Mount Etna, Iowa on December 22nd. |
| 1889 | Gordon S. Watkins was born in Brynmawr, Wales on March 9th. |
| 1906 | Gordon Watkins came to the United States. |
| 1914 | Gordon Watkins earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Montana. |
| 1915 | Gordon Watkins earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Illinois. |
| 1917 | Gordon Watkins married Anna Davis. |
| 1918 | Gordon Watkins earned a doctorate from the University of Pennsylvania. |
| 1925-1949 | Gordon Watkins was a Professor of Economics at UCLA. |
| 1949 | Gordon Watkins was named the first provost at UCR. |
| 1956 | Gordon Watkins retired. |
| 1966 | Watkins House opened at UCR in honor of Gordon and Anna Watkins. |
| 1970 | Gordon Watkins died in Santa Barbara, California on May 5th. |
| 1970 | Anna Watkins died in Santa Barbara, California on August 7th. |
This collection is comprised of manuscripts, correspondence, photographs, documents, certificates, and other material regarding
Gordon and Anna Watkins from 1903-1971. Includes both personal and university related items. Material reflecting the Watkins'
interest in the field of economics is evidenced through the various publications and press clippings present in the collection.
Memorandums, correspondence, and sound recordings documenting the Watkins' accomplishments and time at UCR are also included
such as items regarding the establishment and construction of UCR as well as Watkins House.
This collection is arranged into two series as follows:
- Series 1. Personal papers, 1903-1970, undated
- Series 2. Professional papers, 1920-1971, undated
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the
library's online public access catalog.
University of California, Riverside
College buildings
Clippings (information artifacts)
Correspondence
Manuscripts
Photographs