Bell, Clair Hayden, 1885-1967

Biographical Sketch

Clair Hayden Bell, professor of German at the University of California at Berkeley, was born in Lafayette, Indiana in 1885. He attended the University of California, graduating in 1908 with a major in philosophy and German. He also acquired his M. L. at Berkeley in 1909 in philosophy, and began his teaching career as a teaching assistant in 1909. From 1910 to 1913, he taught in the Los Angeles High School, with the exception of one year, 1911-1912, which he spent as an exchange teacher at the Real Gymnasium at Frankfurtam-Main, Germany. He returned to the University of California as an instructor in 1913, took time out for military service from 1917 to 1919, and acquired his doctorate in 1921. He continued his professorial career in Berkeley until his retirement in 1955.

Professor Bell's work related in large part to the editing and publishing of medieval German texts of the Minnesänger, particularly the life and works of Georg Hager, and also to the publication of texts for the use of students learning German.

From the guide to the Clair Hayden Bell Papers, 1905-1965, (The Bancroft Library)