Compton, Beulah Roberts

Beulah Compton was born on March 29, 1919. She earned her BA degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1941, her M.A. from Indiana University in 1951, and her PhD from the University of Chicago in 1971. In 1952, she came to the University of Minnesota, where she would spend 30 years as an instructor and professor in the School of Social Work. While in Minnesota, she worked on the St. Paul Family Centered Project, which sought better means to coordinate and deliver social services by identifying and focusing on multi-problem families who required assistance from more than one agency. In 1981, she accepted the position of professor at Indiana University and became Dean of the School of Social Work in 1982. She authored books and articles on child welfare, undergraduate education in the field of social work, and social work processes. Compton was a member of various professional organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers, American Public Welfare Association, Child Welfare League of America and American Association of Family Therapists.

From the guide to the Beulah Compton papers, 1953-1967, (University of Minnesota Libraries. Social Welfare History Archives [swha])

Beulah Elizabeth Roberts Compton, B.A. (1941) Illinois Wesleyan University, M.S.W. (1950) Indiana University, Ph.D. (1971) University of Chicago. Conducted research on and taught in the areas of disorganized families, the middle-aged, education in social work, and family therapy.

Beulah Compton was born on March 29, 1919 in Tonica, Illinois. She earned her B.A. degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in 1941, her M.A. from Indiana University in 1951 and her Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in 1971. In 1952, she came to the University of Minnesota and spent 30 years as instructor (1952-1956), assistant professor (1956-1962), associate professor (1962-1972), and professor (1971-1981) in the School of Social Work. While on leave from the University of Minnesota, from 1958-1960 Dr. Compton coordinated the St. Paul family center project, working with disorganized families requiring assistance from more than one social agency.

In 1981, Dr. Compton accepted the position of professor at Indiana University School of Social Work and became Dean of the School of Social Work in 1982. She has authored books and articles on child welfare, undergraduate education in the field of social work, and the processes of social work. Dr. Compton was a member of various professional organizations, including the National Association of Social Workers, American Public Welfare Association, Child Welfare Association of America and American Association of Family Therapists. Beulah Compton died on August 13, 2002.

From the guide to the Beulah Compton papers, 1939-1993, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University of Minnesota Archives [uarc])