Don Martindale was born on February 9, 1915 in Marinette, Wisconsin. After graduating from high school, Martindale went to work full-time on farms and factories in Northern Wisconsin. It was not until the Great Depression that he decided to attend college at the University of Wisconsin. He earned his B.A. in philosophy in 1939 and his M.A. in 1940. During World War II, Martindale served in the army in the Pacific Theater (1942-1946). After his war service, Martindale returned to complete his Ph.D. in sociology at Wisconsin.
From 1946 to 1948, Professor Martindale taught sociology at the extension schools of the University of Wisconsin. He came to the University of Minnesota in 1948. Over his academic career, Professor Martindale wrote over two dozen books on sociology and related topics. In 1971, he received an honorary degree at The Memorial University of Newfoundland, where he played a role in establishing a department of sociology and an institute for social research. Professor Martindale retired from the University of Minnesota in 1983. He passed away in 1985.
From the guide to the Don Albert Martindale papers, circa 1955-1986, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
