Murdock, Eugene C. (Eugene Converse), 1921-1992

Eugene C. Murdock was born April 30, 1921 in Lakewood, Ohio and died July 23, 1992. He was a graduate of the College of Wooster in 1942. After serving nearly four years of military service, he received his Master's degree in 1948 and his Doctorate's degree in 1951 from Columbia University.

Murdock was an Ohio historian and professor at Marietta College. Murdock joined Marietta College's history faculty in 1956 after teaching at Rio Grande College since 1952. From 1972 until his retirement in 1986, he was the Andrew U. Thomas professor of history as well as department chair. He also headed the college's athletic committee for many years and was its faculty representative to the Ohio Athletic Conference. Upon his retirement, he was appointed Marietta College historian as he was a past president of the Ohio Academy of History. Murdock authored several books and articles, including a biography of Ban Johnson, founder of the American League. He also wrote literature on the Civil War; Bernard P. McDonough, a Parkersburg industrialist; Ohio history; and Tom Johnson, the mayor of Cleveland in the early 20th century.

After the Marietta College library refused Murdock's baseball collection, the Cleveland Public Library promptly and eagerly accepted Murdock's offer. In 1992, the Cleveland Public Library purchased the baseball collection of Eugene C. Murdock, which consists of major league biographies, annuals, and scrapbooks, covering the years 1910-1976, as well as some minor league material. Oral history tapes of early 20th century major league players recorded by Dr. Murdock are also included within the collection.

Murdock was a lifelong sports fan. For a number of years, he served as official scorer at the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III Baseball World Series held at Marietta. He was a member of the Marietta College Athletic Hall of Fame Committee from its beginning in 1983. Murdock was a well-known collector of sports memorabilia. He was also a past president of the national Society for American Baseball Research, which honored him in 1992 by recognizing his research as having "contributed significantly to baseball knowledge."

From the guide to the Eugene C. Murdock Baseball Collection, 1905-1976, 1905-1975, (Cleveland Public Library)