Breckinridge, Sophonisba Preston, 1866-1948

Social work educator. S.B., Wellesley College, 1888. Ph. M., University of Chicago, 1897; Ph. D., 1901; J.D., 1904. Assistant dean of women, University of Chicago, 1902-1925; docent in political science, 1902-1904; instructor in household administration, 1904-1909; assistant professor, 1909-1910; assistant professor of social economy, 1910-1920; associate professor economy, School of Social Service Administration, 1920-1925; dean in the College of Arts, Literature, and Science, 1923-1929; Samuel Deutsch Professor, 1929-1948. Breckinridge also worked at Hull House during the summers and at the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy.

From the description of Papers, 1908-1949 (inclusive). (University of Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52250093

Sophonisba Breckinridge (1866-1948) was a welfare worker who led the social work education movement in the United States. Breckinridge graduated from Wellesley College in 1888 and continued her studies in law and political science at the University of Chicago, earning her Ph. D. in 1901. She joined the faculty at the University of Chicago in 1904, teaching in the Department of Household Administration until 1912. Beginning in 1907, she was involved in the Women's Trade Union League and with Hull-House, where she lived from 1907 to 1920. Also in 1907, she began teaching at the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy, later the University of Chicago's Graduate School of Social Service Administration. Breckinridge's ideas about rigorous coursework and training techniques set the standard for social work education in the United States. In 1927, she co-founded and edited the journal "Social Service Review." She also helped organize the Woman's Peace Party and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom.

From the description of Papers, 1912-ca. 1940. (University of Illinois-Chicago Library). WorldCat record id: 52995429

Sophonisba Preston Breckinridge was born April 1, 1866, in Lexington, Kentucky, the daughter of William C. P. Breckinridge and Issa Desha. She graduated from Wellesley College in 1888, and in 1895 was admitted to the Kentucky bar. Her law practice did not prosper, and a Wellesley classmate, May Cook, persuaded her to go to the University of Chicago to take a position as secretary to Marion Talbot, the Dean of Women.

Breckinridge received a Ph.M. degree from the University of Chicago in 1897 and a Ph.D. in political science and economics in 1901. In 1904 she became the first woman to receive the J.D. degree from the University. She taught briefly in the Department of Political Science and then joined Talbot in the Department of Household Administration, becoming an assistant professor in 1909. She also served as head of Green Hall, one of the women's dormitories, and resided there for most of her career.

While teaching at the University, Breckinridge spent her summers at Hull-House and became involved with many of the activities there. She also worked at the Chicago School of Civics and Philanthropy, serving as its dean, and was instrumental in the merger of the school with the University to form the School of Social Service Administration in 1920. Her teaching, research, and publications helped to define social work as a profession and mold it into an academic discipline. She was made a full professor in 1925, and was named Samuel Deutsch Professor of Public Welfare Administration in 1929, remaining active until a few months before her death in 1948.

From the guide to the Breckinridge, Sophonisba P. Papers, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)