George Stigler’s research file for his paper “Henry Calvert Simons” (The Journal of Law & Economics, Vol. 17, No. 1 (Apr., 1974), pp. 1-5) includes the following artifacts that provide us with a complete, or at least near complete, listing of undergraduate and graduate coursework of the “Crown Prince of that hypothetical kingdom, the Chicago school of economics” — Stigler wisecracking at the start of his otherwise serious biographical essay on Henry Simons.
The 1968 International Encyclopedia of the Social Sciences biography of Simons.
_____________________________________
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
1513 LS&A Building
Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104
[June 1972]
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
RE: HENRY CALVERT SIMONS
The following are the descriptive titles of courses pursued, together with the hours of credit earned and grades received by Henry Calvert Simons while a student in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, of The University of Michigan. He was in attendance during the years 1916-1920.
|
Course |
Descriptive Title | Semester Hours | Grade |
| 1916-20 | |||
| Latin 1 | Cicero, Essays |
4 |
B |
| Latin 2 | Livy. Book I or XXI. Plautus, Terence. |
4 |
B |
| Latin 3 | Horace |
4 |
B |
| Latin 4b | The Letters of Pliny the Younger |
2 |
B |
| French 1a | Elementary French for Juniors & Seniors |
4 |
D |
| French 2a | Elementary French for Juniors & Seniors |
4 |
B |
| Rhetoric 1 | Composition & Rhetoric |
3 |
B |
| Rhetoric 2 | Continuation of Course 1 |
3 |
B |
| Rhetoric 3 | Advanced Composition & Rhetoric |
3 |
B |
| Rhetoric 4 | Advanced Composition & Rhetoric |
3 |
B |
| History W1 | The Issues of the War; an exposition of the Causes & Significances of the Great War |
3 |
B |
| Political Economy and Sociology | |||
|
1 |
Elements of Political Economy, I |
5 |
B |
|
7 |
Essentials of Economic Theory |
2 |
A |
|
2 |
Elements of Political Economy, II |
5 |
B |
|
38 |
Principles of Accounting, I |
4 |
A |
|
37 |
Corporation Finance |
2 |
A |
|
6 |
Railway Problems |
3 |
A |
|
13b |
Studies in Economic Theory |
2 |
A |
|
9 |
Banking and Foreign Exchange |
3 |
A |
|
15 |
Corporations |
3 |
A |
|
39 |
Principles of Accounting, II |
4 |
B- |
|
40 |
Cost Accounting |
3 |
C- |
|
8a |
Economic Statistics |
2 |
B |
|
10 |
Money, Credit, and the Level of Prices |
3 |
A |
|
13 |
Studies in Economic Theory |
2 |
B |
|
16 |
Public Service Industries |
2 |
A |
|
18 |
Research Work |
1 |
B |
|
43 |
Auditing and Special Accounting Systems |
3 |
D- |
|
43a |
Income Tax Procedure |
2 |
C- |
| Math 1 | Algebra, Trigonometry, & Analytic Geometry |
4 |
B |
| Math 2 | Plane Analytic Geometry |
4 |
B |
| Math 51 | Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Interest and Insurance, I |
3 |
B |
| Math 52 | Introduction to the Mathematical Theory of Interest and Insurance, II |
3 |
B |
| Math 3a | Calculus, Shorter Course, I |
3 |
B |
| Math 4a | Calculus, Shorter Course, II |
3 |
A |
| Chemistry 1 | General and Inorganic Chemistry |
2 |
B |
| Chemistry 1a | General and Inorganic Chemistry |
2 |
A |
| Chemistry 2 | General and Inorganic Chemistry |
2 |
B |
| Chemistry 2a | General and Inorganic Chemistry |
2 |
B |
| Military 4 | The Basic Group |
4 |
No grade is given |
December 3, 1920—Henry Calvert Simons was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts. With a Business Certificate, and Diploma.
_____________________________________
THE UNIVERSITY OF IOWA
IOWA CITY, IOWA 52240
College of Business Administration
Department of Economics
Area 319: 353-5128
June 30, 1972
Professor George J. Stigler
Department of Economics and Business
University of Chicago
Chciago, Illinois 60637
Dear Professor Stigler:
I am responding to your inquiry about information on Professor Henry C. Simons when he was at the University of Iowa. Unfortunately, I have not been able to find much useful information…
…The Personnel office gave me the following background from his file which is rather sterile information.
He received his B. A. from Michigan and began his appointment at Iowa, January 8, 1921 as an Assistant in Principles and Assistant in railroads, at a salary of $1,900. In 1925-26 he was on a leave of absence, but no indication as to where it was spent. [see University of Chicago transcript below] He became an assistant professor of economics in 1926 at a salary of $2,750…
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
Jerald R. Barnard
Associate Professor and Chairman
_____________________________________
COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY
in the City of New York
New York, N.Y 10027
OFFICE OF THE REGISTRAR
Philosophy Hall
July 19, 1972
Mr. George J. Stigler
The University of Chicago
Haskell Hall
Chicago 37, Illinois
Dear Mr. Stigler:
I have your letter of June 26th concerning Henry Calvert Simons.
A careful check of our records indicates that he was with us as a student only during the Summer Session of 1922. He registered for two graduate courses in economics taught by Prof. Herbert J. Davenport. One course was in Pubic Finance and the other was the Theory of Price Competition. For reasons which I do not entirely understand, he did not receive a grade in either course.
I hope this information will be helpful to you.
Very truly yours,
[signed]
Charles P. Hurd
Registrar
_____________________________________
The University of Chicago
Office of the Recorder
Matr. No. 104903
Name Henry Calvert Simons, Jr.
Date of Matriculation June 18, 1923
Home Address College of Commerce, U. of Ia, Iowa City, Ia
Church Affiliation
Membership Presbyterian
Preference [blank]
The Student’s degree of A. B. judged equal to the Degree of Ph. B. from the U. of C., lacking [blank] majors. Equivalence established by the University Examiner 7.17, 1930
Candidacy for the Degree of Ph. D. in the Dep’ts of 1. Economics 2. [blank]
recomm. by H. A. Millis 3.25, 1930
Approved by the Faculty 8. 9, 1930.
The Graduate School Record of Work
|
Majors taken
|
Abs. | Grade | Majors Credit |
Grade Points |
| SUMMER QR. 1923 | ||||
| POL.EC.-mj.31-Advanced Banking | A | 1 | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.40X-Org.Labor in Am.Indust.Soc | C | 1 | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.65-Government Finance | B | 1 | ||
| SUMMER QR. 1924 | ||||
| POL.EC.-mj.16-Hist.of Econ.Thought | A | 1 | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.45-Types of Econ.Organiz’n. | A | ½ | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.62-Probs.of Federal Aid (Visitor) | ||||
| POL.EC.-mj.67-State Finance & Taxation | A | 1 | ||
| SUMMER QR. 1925 | ||||
| POL.EC.-mj.311-Statistical Theory | p | 1 | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.353-Internat.Economic Policies | A | 1 | ||
| ED.-m.321A-Financial Administration (Visitor) | ||||
| ED.-m.321B -Financial Administration (Visitor) |
||||
| WINTER QR. 1926 | ||||
| POL.EC.-mj.220-Economic Hist.of U.S. | A | 1 | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.312-Statistical Graphics | p | 1 | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.461-Research in Gov’t Finance | p | 1 | ||
| SPRING QR. 1926 | ||||
| POL.EC.-mj.303-Mod.Tendencies in Economics | A | 1 | ||
| POL.EC.-mj.462 Research in Gov’t Finance | inc. | |||
| French Exams passed 9.2.26 SEP | ||||
| SUMMER QR. 1927 1st Term | ||||
| GER.-1010-German for Reading Req’ts (non-cr.) German Examination Passed OCT |
Source: University of Chicago Archives. George Stigler Papers, Box 2, Folder “1972 GJS folder on H. Simons: Sources for articles in Dict. of Am. Biog. & Apr. 74 JLE”.
_____________________________________
[University of Chicago, Summer Quarter, 1923]
[Political Economy] 31. Advanced Banking.—A review of the elementary principles of bank credit will be followed by a brief discussion of foreign banking systems. The purpose of this will be to ascertain wherein, from an institutional point of view, the organization of American banking systems has been influenced by European methods. The course will conclude with an investigation of such topics as agricultural credit, the trade acceptance, the bank acceptance, check collections and clearances, and the problems of Federal Reserve management. The internal problems of bank management are not emphasized. Rather the endeavor is to show the manner in which economic principles work themselves out through the instrumentality of our financial institutions. Prerequisite: course 3 [The Financial Organization of Society] or its equivalent. Mj. 1:30, Professor [Harold Lyle] Reed [Professor of Finance and Banking, Washington University]. [University of Chicago. Announcements, Summer Quarter 1923, p. 26.]
[Political Economy] 40X. Organized Labor in American Industrial Society.—An advanced course, covering much the same ground as 40B [Collective Bargaining and Industrial Arbitration]. After obtaining the needed background in the extent of union organization and in union methods and policies, a study is made of collective bargaining and struggles between organized labor and employers in typical industries. Following this an examination is made of the law as ti is applied to organized labor and employers. The last part of the course is devoted to the mediation and the arbitration of industrial disputes. The course is designed primarily for students who desire a concrete and detailed knowledge of organized labor not to be obtained from a general course and who cannot take 40A [Trade Unionism] and 40B [Collective Bargaining and Industrial Arbitration]. Prerequisite: course 4 [The Worker in Modern Economic Society] or its equivalent. Mj. 10:00, Professor [Harry Alvin] Millis. [University of Chicago. Announcements, Summer Quarter 1923, p. 26.]
[Political Economy] 65. Principles of Government Finance.—This course deals with public expenditure, budgetary methods, public revenues, and public debt. Its purpose is to give a working knowledge of public financial institutions and practices and, more especially, an understanding of financial principles. About half of the quarter is devoted to the theory and practice of taxation. Special attention is paid to war finance. Some of the leading topics discussed are: the growth and amount of public outlays; the principles which should be observed in making appropriations; budgetary methods; the sources of revenue; public industries and price-making; fees and special assessments; the principles of taxation; the more important kinds of taxes; bonds versus taxes in war finance; the principles which should be observed in borrowing; the management of national and local debts. Prerequisite: course 1 [Principles of Economics II: Value and Distribution in Industrial Society] and 27 majors. Mj. 9:00, Associate Professor [Jacob] Viner. [University of Chicago. Announcements, Summer Quarter 1923, p. 26-27.]
[University of Chicago, Summer Quarter, 1924]
[Political Economy] 16. History of Economic Thought.—Attention is given throughout to the determining factors of economic thought as found in industrial conditions and in general political and social philosophy. The students are expected to make use so far as possible of primary sources. Prerequisite: 4 majors in the Department. Mj. 10:00, Professor [John Maurice] Clark. [University of Chicago. Announcements, Summer Quarter 1924, p. 23.]
[Political Economy] 45. Types of Economic Organization.—An examination of the various forms of economic organization that have been proposed, including the Utopias, Individualism, Marxian Socialism, Collectivism, the Single Tax, Syndicalism, and Guild-Socialism. Constant comparison will be made between these forms and the present structure of society. M. First Term, 2:30, Associate Professor [Paul H.] Douglas. [University of Chicago. Announcements, Summer Quarter 1924, p. 24.]
[Political Economy] 62. The Problems of Federal Aid.—A semi-research course, which is designed to analyze the economic and fiscal relations between the federal and state governments. The systems of grants-in-aid given in other countries and of state aid in this country will be first considered. The major portion of the course will deal with the specific federal aid laws enacted by the national government and their administrative history. An attempt will be made to work out standards of federal and state action. M. First Term, 3:30, Associate Professor [Paul H.] Douglas. [University of Chicago. Announcements, Summer Quarter 1924, p. 24.]
[Political Economy] 67. Federal and State Taxation Problems.—This course will deal in some detail with current problems of income, inheritance, property, and commodity taxation in federal and state finance in the United States. Students entering this course will be expected to have had a general course in government finance and a substantial knowledge of the principles and methods of taxation on their part will be taken for granted. Mj. 9:00 Associate Professor [Jacob] Viner. [University of Chicago. Announcements, Summer Quarter 1924, pp. 67-8.]
[University of Chicago, Summer Quarter, 1925]
[Political Economy] 311. Statistical Theory.—Mj. Summer, 8:00, Professor [James Alfred] Field. [University of Chicago, Annual Register with Announcements for 1925-1926, p. 148]
[Political Economy] 353. International Economic Policies.—Mj. Summer, 10:00, Professor [Jacob] Viner. [University of Chicago, Annual Register with Announcements for 1925-1926, p. 149]
[University of Chicago, Winter Quarter, 1926]
[Political Economy] 220. Economic History of the United States.—Mj. Professor [Chester Whitney] Wright. [University of Chicago, Annual Register with Announcements for 1925-26, p. 146]
[Political Economy] 312. Statistical Graphics and Tabulation.—Mj. Professor [James Alfred] Field. [University of Chicago, Annual Register with Announcements for 1925-26, p. 148]
[Political Economy] 461. Research in Government Finance.—Professor [Jacob] Viner. [University of Chicago, Annual Register with Announcements for 1925-26, p. 149]
[University of Chicago, Spring Quarter, 1926]
[Political Economy] 303. Modern Tendencies in Economics.—Mj. Professor [John Maurice] Clark. . [University of Chicago, Annual Register with Announcements for 1925-26, p. 147]
[Political Economy] 462. Research in Government Finance.—Professor [Jacob] Viner. [University of Chicago, Annual Register with Announcements for 1925-26, p. 149]
IMAGE SOURCE: University of Chicago Photographic Archive, apf1-07613, Special Collections Research Center, University of Chicago Library.