Coy, Owen Cochran, 1884-1952

Historian. Taught history at Eureka High School, 1909-13, secretary and director of California Historical Survey Commission, 1915-23, director of California State Historical Association, 1923-1950, state technical director of the Historical Records Survey, W.P.A., 1936, professor of history at University of Southern California, 1925-1950.

Biography

Owen C. Coy was born in Farragut, Iowa on April 16, 1884, the son of Louise May Cochran and Charles Fremont Coy. He was educated at College of the Pacific, earning a Ph.B. degree in 1907; at Stanford, an M.A. degree in History; and at University of California at Berkeley, a Ph.D. degree in 1918.

He taught history at Eureka High School, 1909-13, was secretary and director of the California Historical Survey Commission, from 1915 to 1923, director of the California State Historical Association, from 1923 to about1950, and state technical director of the Historical Records Survey, W.P.A., in 1936. He was professor of history at the University of Southern California, from 1925 until 1950.

Dr. Coy published several books, including The County Archives of California and The Genesis of California Counties. He was editor of the California History Nugget, the periodical publication of the California State Historical Society.

The California Historical Commission, a state agency, was charged with making a study of the California mission, particularly in reference to building and architecture. In his capacity as Commission director and as director of the California State Historical Association, Dr. Coy collected most of the materials in this collection.