Erwin W. Runkle was born in Lisbon, Iowa, in 1869. He graduated from Yale in 1893 with a doctorate in philosophy, and joined the Penn State faculty that year, serving part time as college librarian (1904-1924) and college historian (1926-1938). As the first University historian, Runkle organized a large collection of letters, reports, manuscripts and other information pertaining to the University in order to properly recognize its history for its 50th anniversary in 1905. As the recognized Father of the University Archives, Runkle created the primary collections documenting Penn State earliest history. He retired with emeritus status in 1935, and died in 1941.
From the description of Erwin Runkle papers, 1855-1936. (Pennsylvania State University Libraries). WorldCat record id: 745043442
