Siffin, William J.

Faculty member, Indiana University Department of Government (now the Department of Political Science).

William J. Siffin was born in Cleveland, Ohio on May 31, 1922. He first came to Indiana University as a student, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1943. Following his graduation, Siffin worked as a management trainee, an administrative staff officer, and an administrative analyst with the Tennessee Valley Authority. He left the TVA in 1948 for the University of Minnesota, where he earned an M.A. in Public Administration. From there he went to Harvard University, completing a Ph.D. in Political Economy and Government in 1957.

By 1952, Siffin had returned to Indiana University, joining the faculty as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Government (now the Department of Political Science). He advanced steadily through the department, reaching the rank of Professor in 1966. Aside from his teaching duties, Siffin served the department as director of graduate studies from 1961-1963 and as acting director and coordinator of the Carnegie Seminar from 1962-1964. (For additional materials on the Carnegie Seminar, see Collection #158.) In 1975 he was given the additional title of Professor in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He retired in 1988 as Professor Emeritus of Political Science and Public and Environmental Affairs.

Siffin was also an active administrator. From 1970-1972 he was on leave from IU, serving as Director of the Office of Development Administration at the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington, DC. Upon his return to IU, he became Director of the International Development Research Center-- later renamed the International Development Institute (see Collection #159)-- and of the Program of Advanced Studies in Institution Building and Technical Assistance Methodology, PASITAM (see Collection #160).

Even after his retirement, Siffin maintained an active professional life. Though plagued by health problems, he was frequently in his university office, continuing to teach, write, and do consulting work. William Siffin died on June 18, 1993 at the age of 71.