Craig, Earl D., 1932-1992

Earl D. Craig, Jr. was born in St. Louis, Missouri (March 25, 1939). Craig graduated from Summer High School in St. Louis (Jan. 1956), completed two years at Kenyon college (Gambier, Ohio), and received his B. A. degree in political science from Washington University in St. Louis (1960). He also completed work towards a M.A. degree in political science at the University of Minnesota.

As a graduate student Craig worked as a program coordinator with Pillsbury Citizens Service in Minneapolis (1962-1963) and as student personnel worker and coordinator of student international programs in the Student Activities Bureau of the University of Minnesota (1965-1968).

Craig taught political science in the Afro-American Studies department at the University of Minnesota (1970-1972) and in the University's School of Public Affairs (1972-1973). He also taught part-time (1970-1980) at Lea College, Southwest Minnesota State College, Minnesota Metropolitan State College, Carleton College, the Academy of the Minnesota Department of Corrections, and St. Thomas College.

As a result of political work during the 1968 presidential campaign Craig helped found the New Democratic Coalition and was hired as its first national executive director (1968-1969). For a brief period he wrote an editorial column for the Minneapolis Tribune (1969). In 1970 Craig ran unsuccessfully against Hubert H. Humphrey for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party's nomination for the U.S. Senate.

After the 1970 campaign Craig formed Earl Craig Associates, a social policy consulting firm which provided assistance to companies in the areas of corporate citizenship and public responsibility. He was appointed chairman of the Minnesota Board of Human Rights (1975), served on the Commission on Minnesota's Future (1975), and was elected president of the Urban Coalition of Minneapolis (1975-1983). During this period Craig also served as a board member of several civic, educational, and arts organizations.

In 1983 Craig formed the Earl Craig Company, a public affairs and community relations research and consultant firm and in 1990 he was appointed head of the Minneapolis Neighborhood Revitalization Program.

Craig was murdered in January, 1992.

Biographical data was taken from the collection.

From the guide to the Earl D. Craig papers., 1944-1989 (bulk 1968-1989)., (Minnesota Historical Society)