Eldersveld, Samuel James

Professor of political science at University of Michigan, and mayor of Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1957-1959.

Professor of political science at the University of Michigan, and mayor of Ann Arbor, Mich., 1957-1959.

Samuel J. Eldersveld was born March 29, 1917 in Kalamazoo, Michigan. He grew up in Muskegon, Michigan and later attended Muskegon Junior College. In 1938, Eldersveld received his B.A. from Calvin College, majoring in history. After graduation, he entered graduate school at the University of Michigan. Eldersveld received his M.A. in Political Science in 1939 with a thesis on "Quasi-Judicial Powers of Independent Regulatory Commissions." Eldersveld continued his studies at the University of Michigan, working toward a Ph.D. in Political Science. His doctoral studies were interrupted from 1942 to 1946 when Eldersveld entered the US Navy for service in WWII. Eldersveld, discharged from the Navy in 1946, returned to his studies at the University of Michigan, receiving his Ph.D. in 1946.

Eldersveld began his teaching career the same year he received his doctorate. He was hired as an instructor for the Department of Political Science at the University of Michigan. In 1947, he was promoted to Assistant Professor, followed by promotions of Associate Professor and Professor in 1952 and 1957 respectively. He later served as Chair of the Department from 1964 until 1970. In 1987, Eldersveld was granted emeritus status by the Regents of the University of Michigan.

Throughout his long, distinguished career, Eldersveld wrote 22 books and numerous articles. His major fields of study included American political parties, public opinion, elections, and comparative politics with particular focus on the Netherlands, India and China.

In 1957, Eldersveld was elected Democratic mayor of Ann Arbor, serving one two-year term.

Samuel J. Eldersveld died March 5, 2010 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.