Smith, William Carlson, 1883-

William Carlson Smith was born in 1883. He graduated in 1907 from Grand Island College in Nebraska where he majored in arts and letters. Smith did educational work in Assam, India under the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society from 1912-1915. Following his return to the United States he continued sociology studies at the University of Southern California and the University of Chicago and eventually held positions in sociology departments of various universities. In the 1920s Smith worked as a researcher on the Survey of Race Relations, a Canadian-American project. The survey collected data on Japanese and Chinese immigrants and their children. Smith's book, Americans in the making, was based on this research. His 1953 book, The Stepchild, was the culmination of fifteen years of research and study, much of which was done in Oregon at Linfield College. Other fields investigated by Smith were immigration and second generation Asian Americans.

From the description of William C. Smith papers, 1924-1927. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 51552933

From the description of William C. Smith papers [microform], 1924-1927. (University of Oregon Libraries). WorldCat record id: 55506811

William Carlson Smith was born 1883 and graduated in 1907 from Grand Island College, Grand Island Nebraska, where he majored in arts and letters. Smith held various positions in his early career: high school principal, teacher, Red Cross worker, field worker and probation officer. Dr. Smith did educational work in Assam, India under the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society from 1912 to 1915.

Following his return to the United States Smith continued his studies at the University of Southern California and the University of Chicago, majoring in sociology. He went on to hold positions in the sociology departments of various universities.

In the 1920s, Smith worked as a researcher on the Survey of Race Relations, a Canadian-American project whose goal was to investigate "relations between Orientals and whites on the Pacific Coast" ( Tentative Findings of the Survey of Race Relations . Stanford University: 1925). The survey collected demographic and economic data regarding Japanese and Chinese immigrants and their children, and gave particular attention to the impact of race- and immigration-related legislation such as the "anti-alien land" laws. This research formed part of the basis for Smith's book Americans in the Making .

During his tenure at Texas Christian University (1929-1933), Smith became actively involved in a drive to investigate the University's administrative policies through the American Association of University Professors. Smith and his followers charged that nepotism and favoritism combined with poor management of funds had compromised the University to the extent that faculty had no job security and were often dismissed without cause.

Perhaps Smith's most important work was his 1953 book The Stepchild, which was the culmination of fifteen years of research and study. Smith did much of the research in Oregon while at Linfield College. This collection contains a large section of manuscript materials related to The Stepchild .

Other fields investigated by Smith were immigration and second generation Asian Americans in America. These interests are reflected in a number of articles by Smith that are included in the collection.

From the guide to the William C. Smith papers, 1924-1927, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)

William Carlson Smith was born in 1883 and graduated in 1907 from Grand Island College, Grand Island Nebraska, where he majored in arts and letters. Smith held various positions in his early career: high school principal, teacher, Red Cross worker, field worker and probation officer. Smith did educational work in Assam, India under the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society from 1912-1915.

Following his return to the U.S. Smith continued his studies at the University of Southern California and the University of Chicago, majoring in sociology. He went on to hold positions in the sociology departments of various universities.

In the 1920s, Smith worked as a researcher on the Survey of Race Relations, a Canadian-American project that investigated "relations between Orientals and whites on the Pacific Coast" (Tentative Findings of the Survey of Race Relations. Stanford University: 1925). The survey collected demographic and economic data regarding Japanese and Chinese immigrants and their children, and gave particular attention to the impact of race and immigration related legislation such as the "anti-alien land" laws. This research formed part of the basis for Smith's book, Americans in the Making.

During his tenure at Texas Christian University (1929-1933), Smith became actively involved in a drive to investigate the University's administrative policies through the American Association of University Professors. Smith and his followers charged that nepotism and favoritism combined with poor management of funds had compromised the University to the extent that faculty had no job security and were often dismissed without cause.

Perhaps Smith's most important work was his 1953 book The Stepchild, which was the culmination of fifteen years of research and study. Smith did much of the research in Oregon while at Linfield College. Other fields investigated by Smith were immigration and second generation Orientals in America.

From the guide to the William Carlson Smith papers, 1912-1972, (Special Collections and University Archives, University of Oregon Libraries)