Mary Rudd Cochran was born in 1881 in Cincinnati, Ohio. The oldest of five children of William C. Cochran, she graduated from Oberlin College in 1903. Her career as a librarian began in 1905 when Cochran was hired by the Cincinnati Public Library. Over the next forty years, Cochran was employed by the Ohio Institute of Public Efficiency in Columbus, Ohio, the Cleveland Public Library, and the University of Cincinnati. She returned to the Cincinnati Public Library in 1932, retiring in 1944. As a supporter of women's issues in the early 20th century, Cochran belonged to several organizations designed to help women in American society become informed citizens. Cochran was also interested in global affairs, especially the United Nations. Cochran felt that travel, which encouraged cross-cultural understanding, was the key to world peace. At the age of 100, Cochran died in 1982.
From the description of Papers, 1882-1988. (Oberlin College Library). WorldCat record id: 37112841
