Morgan, Agnes Fay, 1884-1968

Dr. Morgan taught human nutrition courses in the College of Agriculture at the University of California, Berkeley from 1915 until her retirement in 1954.

From the description of Agnes Fay Morgan papers, 1904-1983 (bulk 1904-1967). (University of California, Berkeley). WorldCat record id: 84641700

Biographical Information

Agnes Fay Morgan was born on May 4, 1884 in Peoria, Illinois, the daughter of Patrick John and Mary Josephine (Dooley) Fay. She received her bachelors and masters degrees in chemistry from the University of Chicago in 1904 and 1905 respectively. After marrying one of her students, Arthur I. Morgan, at the University of Montana and teaching briefly at the University of Washington, Morgan returned to the University of Chicago, where she was awarded a Ph.D. in chemistry in 1914.

In 1915, Morgan joined the faculty at the University of California, Berkeley and organized the first scientific human nutrition courses there, at a time when the science was in its infancy. Her research subjects included the effect of heat on the nutritive value of protein, the nutritive value of wine, and the metabolic action of various nutrients, including B vitamins, ascorbic acid and carotene. Throughout her career, Morgan regularly taught courses on Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Nutrition of Development, and seminars in nutrition.

For 22 years, Morgan was head of the Department of Household Science in the College of Letters and Science, until the Household Science and Household Arts Departments were combined in 1938 to form the Department of Home Economics in the College of Agriculture. At this time, her title was changed to Professor of Home Economics and she was named chair of the department and biochemist in the Agricultural Experiment Station as well, a post she held until 1954. In 1951, Morgan was the only woman on the nine-member Committee on Experiment Station Organization and Policy of the United States Department of Agriculture, which guided the national program of research.

Morgan exacted strong scientific preparation from her students, who were required to take courses in physical and biological sciences. Her demands on her students were no more than her demands on herself. She continued to do research and produce articles well after she retired on June 30, 1954.

The year following Morgan's retirement, the university administration moved the Department of Home Economics to the Davis campus. The Home Economics Building on the Berkeley campus was renamed Agnes Fay Morgan Hall in 1961. Morgan completed her History of Iota Sigma Pi and received the Phoebe Hearst Gold Medal as one of the 10 outstanding women in the San Francisco Bay Area in 1963. Morgan's 50th anniversary at the University of California, Berkeley was commemorated with a symposium in her honor in 1965.

In addition to receiving multiple awards after her retirement, Agnes Morgan's dedication and energy persisted. Morgan continued to come regularly to her office until the time of a heart attack, two weeks before her death, July 20, 1968.

From the guide to the Agnes Fay Morgan Papers, 1904-1983 (bulk 1904-1967), (The Bancroft Library.)