Holborn, Louise W. (Louise Wilhelmine), 1898-

Louise Holborn, political scientist and authority on refugees, emigrated from Germany in 1933 and received her A.M. (1936) and Ph.D. (1938) from Radcliffe College. She worked in Germany after World War II and then taught international relations at Wellesley, Smith, and Connecticut College. She continued her research on refugees at the Bunting Institute of Radcliffe College (1964-1971). Received Order of Merit from the Federal Republic of Germany in 1975.

From the description of Papers, 1971-1975 (inclusive). (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 232007606

Louise W. Holborn (1898-1975) was an educator, political scientist, and internationally recognized authority on refugee issues. She was born in Berlin-Charlottenburg, Germany to Helene and Ludwig Holborn, educated at local schools, and married August Hugo Gabelmann in 1918. The couple divorced in 1923; there were no children. Holborn was an active volunteer during World War I, and became a certified social worker in 1923. Between 1928 and 1932, she studied at the University of Heidelberg and the German School of Politics in Berlin, but discontinued her studies when Hitler rose to power in 1933. Holborn left for England where she briefly resumed her studies at the London School of Economics before emigrating to the United States in 1934. She eventually enrolled in Radcliffe College, earning an A.M. (1936) and Ph. D. (1938). From 1939 until her retirement in 1971, Holborn served on various college faculties, including Wellesley College, Pine Manor Junior College, and Smith College. In 1947, she joined the faculty of the Connecticut College for Women in New London, Connecticut, where she eventually retired as professor emerita.

In addition to her teaching career, Holborn worked for the United States Office of Strategic Services during World War II, received numerous fellowships and grants that enabled her to research the plight of refugees, and published her findings in seminal studies and reports. In recognition of her efforts on behalf of refugees, Holborn was awarded Norway's Golden Fridtjof Nansen Ring in 1971, and the Order of Merit First Class from the Federal Republic of Germany in 1975.

From the description of Additional papers of Louise W. Holborn, 1898-1975. (Harvard University). WorldCat record id: 754372559