Louis Petroff was born in Todorichene, Bulgaria, February 14, 1897. He immigrated to the United States at the age of fourteen and completed high school in Madison, Wisconsin. Petroff attended the University of Wisconsin and received his bachelor's degree in sociology in 1926. He completed both his Master of Arts and Doctoral degrees in sociology at the University of Southern California in 1929 and 1934 respectively. Dr. Petroff worked as a social caseworker and researcher in Los Angeles from 1934-1938 before coming to Southern Illinois University Carbondale as professor of sociology and economics. He taught at Southern Illinois University from 1940 until his retirement in 1975, and he died on June 4, 1980.
From the description of Louis Petroff papers, 1927-1976 (bulk 1951-1969). (Southern Illinois University). WorldCat record id: 320362543
