Carlson, Ellsworth C.

Ellsworth C. Carlson was born May 27, 1917, in Bridgeport, Connecticut. Carlson graduated from Oberlin College in 1939 with Phi Beta Kappa honors and an A.B. degree in History. Carlson served as an "Oberlin in China" rep from 1939-1943. After working as Regional Planner, Office of Strategic Services (1944-45) and Country Specialist, United States Dept.of State (1945-47), Carlson returned to the U.S. and completed his formal education at Harvard University (M.A., 1949, Ph. D, 1950). Carlson joined the faculty of Oberlin College in 1950, eventually becoming Professor of History (1962-69, 1975-81) and Professor of East Asian Studies (1977-81). Carlson's service to Oberlin College included serving as Provost (1969-74), Acting President (1970, 1974-75), Chairman and Honorary Trustee, OSMA Board (over 30 years total service). Two of Carlson's publications include The Kaiping Mines, 1877-1912 (1957) and The Foochow Missionaries, 1847-1880 (1974). Carlson was a member of the American Association of University Professors, the American Historical Association, the Association for Asian Studies, and the Society of Ch'ing Studies. Carlson married Florence ("Bobbie") Dunn in 1943 and they had four children: James R. Carlson (OC'69), Frank S. Carlson (OC'71), Elizabeth M. Carlson, and Sarah Carlson.