Bishop, Merlin D., 1907-

Labor leader and member of Board of Trustees, University of Connecticut, of Hartford, Conn.

From the description of Merlin D. Bishop papers, 1924-1975. (University of Connecticut). WorldCat record id: 28413145

First director of UAW Education Dept.

From the description of Oral history interview with Merlin Bishop, 1963, Mar. 29. (Wayne State University, Archives of Labor & Urban). WorldCat record id: 32321298

First educational director of UAW.

From the description of Merlin D. Bishop papers, 1936-1957. (Wayne State University, Archives of Labor & Urban). WorldCat record id: 32320788

Merlin D. Bishop was born 5 October 1907, in Alhambra, Illinois to William F. and Lena Bishop . He married Dorothy Hubbard in December 1936 and had one daughter, Martha W. Bishop .

Bishop worked at the Ford Motor Company between 1925 and 1931. He then attended Wayne University ( Detroit, MI ) and in 1935-1936, was a member of the Extension Staff of Brookwood Labor College . Following Brookwood, he joined the teaching staff of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration as assistant state supervisor of the worker education program. In 1936, he was appointed temporary education director of the United Automobile workers (UAW) and became full-time director in 1937-1938. He was the educational director of the Philadelphia joint board of the Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (1939-1943). In 1943 he was the international representative, sub-regional director, of the International Union, UAW, and held that position in Hartford as of 1947. In 1970, Bishop became the sub-regional director of the UAW. In his career he also wrote several labor education leaflets, pamphlets and instruction guides.

Bishop was also active in higher education in Connecticut, serving on the Governor's Fact-Finding Commission on Education from 1948 to 1951. In 1950, he was appointed to the Board of Trustees of the University of Connecticut and served as secretary of the Board from 1963 until 1972. He was also on the Governor's Library Study Commission (1961-1962), the Governor's Higher Education Study Commission (1963-1964), and the Labor Education Center Study Committee (Bishop Committee) (1964-1967).

From the guide to the Merlin D. Bishop Papers., undated, 1924-1975., (Archives & Special Collections at the Thomas J. Dodd Research Center .)