Today we meet the economics Ph.D. alumnus Harry Edward Miller who was an Allyn A. Young dissertation student awarded a Harvard Ph.D. in 1923. Miller went on to become the Eastman professor of political economy at Brown University. He was only forty years old at the time of his death that resulted from hemorrhaging, a complication from a pancreaticoduodenectomy, probably attempted because of pancreatic cancer (cause of death information from death certificate).
This post provides the entire record for Harry Edward Miller found in the files of the Division of History, Government and Economics at Harvard. Bonus content includes the identification of all his graduate school courses and instructors plus a chronology of Miller’s life and career.
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HARVARD UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, AND ECONOMICS
Application for Candidacy for the Degree of Ph.D.
[Note: Boldface used to indicate printed text of the application; italics used to indicate the handwritten entries]
I. Full Name, with date and place of birth.
Harry Edward Miller, born October 11, 1897 at Boston Mass.
II. Academic Career: (Mention, with dates inclusive, colleges or other higher institutions of learning attended; and teaching positions held.)
Boston University, 1915-19
Harvard University, Graduate School of Arts & Sciences 1919-21
III. Degrees already attained. (Mention institutions and dates.)
A.B., Boston University, 1919
A.M., Harvard University, 1920
IV. General Preparation. (Indicate briefly the range and character of your under-graduate studies in History, Economics, Government, and in such other fields as Ancient and Modern Languages, Philosophy, etc. In case you are a candidate for the degree in History, state the number of years you have studied preparatory and college Latin.)
Full-year courses in Modern & Medieval European History, American History, Comparative Government. Full-year courses in Principles of Economics, and half-year courses in Public Finance, Economic History of the U.S., Socialism, History of Economic Theory.
4 years of high-school Latin and one of college.
3 years of high-school French and one of college.
2 years of high-school German and 3 of college.
V. Department of Study. (Do you propose to offer yourself for the Ph.D., “History,” in “Economics,” or in “Political Science”?)
Economics.
VI. Choice of Subjects for the General Examination. (State briefly the nature of your preparation in each subject, as by Harvard courses, courses taken elsewhere, private reading, teaching the subject, etc., etc.)
- Economic Theory and Its History. (Econ. 11, 14, and 15. Half-year undergraduate course at Boston University in the history, full-year course in the theory.
- Economic History since 1750 (Econ. 2 with additional reading and a half-year undergraduate course at Boston Univ.).
- Statistical Method and its Application (Econ. 41).
- Public finance (Econ 31 and a half-year undergraduate course at Boston University).
- History of Political Theory. (Gov’t 6).
- Money, Banking and Commercial Crises (Econ. 3 with additional reading, and Econ 382 hf. (to be taken during second semester of this year))
VII. Special Subject for the special examination.
Money, Banking and Commercial Crises. (Econ.3)
VIII. Thesis Subject. (State the subject and mention the instructor who knows most about your work upon it.)
To be determined.
[added by someone else] “Theories of Banking in the United States before the Civil War.” (with Professor Young)
IX. Examinations. (Indicate any preferences as to the time of the general and special examinations.)
I should prefer the general examination in the late spring of this year.
X. Remarks
[left blank]
Signature of a member of the Division certifying approval of the above outline of subjects.
[signed] Edmund E. Day
* * * [Last page of application] * * *
[Not to be filled out by the applicant]
Name: Harry E. Miller.
Approved: January 25, 1921.
Ability to use French certified by C. J. Bullock, March 28, 1921.
Ability to use German certified by C. J. Bullock, March 28, 1921.
Date of general examination Thursday, 3 November 1921, passed – A.A. Young
Thesis received April 1, 1923
Read by Professors Young, Sprague and
Approved Bullock
Date of special examination May 25, 1923. Passed – A.A. Young
Recommended for the Doctorate June 5, 1923
Degree conferred 21 June 1923
Remarks. [left blank]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Certification of reading knowledge
of French and German for Ph.D.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
F. W. Taussig
T. N. Carver
W. Z. Ripley
C. J. Bullock
A. A. Young
W. M. Persons
E. E. Day
J. S. Davis
H. H. Burbank
A. S. Dewing
E. E. Lincoln
A. E. Monroe
A. H. Cole
Cambridge, Massachusetts
March 28, 1921
My dear Haskins:
I have this morning examined Mr. Henry E. Miller, and find that he has such a knowledge of French and German as we require of candidates for the doctorate.
Very sincerely yours
[signed]
Charles J. Bullock
Dean C. H. Haskins
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Miller provides title of his dissertation
Apr. 11, 1921
Division of Hist., Govt. and Economics
Mrs. Dorothy Cogswell Sec’y.
My dear Mrs. Cogswell:
The title of my Ph.D. thesis is to be, “The History of Banking Theory in America before 1860.” I informed the secretary of the Dept. of Economics to that effect and am sorry it did not occur to me that you might not be advised through her.
Sincerely yours,
[signed] Harry E. Miller
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
General Exam Postponed
COPY
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF HISTORY, GOVERNMENT,
AND ECONOMICS
20 May, 1921
My dear Sir:
The General Examination of Mr. Harry E. Miller, which was scheduled for Wednesday, 25 May, has been postponed until next year.
Very truly yours,
CHARLES H. HASKINS
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Request to Professors to join general examination committee
Copy
8 October 1921
My dear Sir:
Can you serve as one on the committee for the general examination of Harry Edward Miller? The committee will consist of Professor Young, Chairman, Professor Bullock, Professor McIlwain, Professor Usher and Professor Taussig. The examination will be on Tuesday, November 3.
The subjects which Mr. Miller offers are
Theory and its History
Economic History since 1750
Statistical Method and its Application on Public Finance
History of Political Theory
Money, Banking and Commercial Crises.
Very truly yours,
Professor [“Young”, “Bullock”,“Usher”, “Taussig”,“McIlwain” added here to the individual letters]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Bullock declares willingness to serve on the general exam committee
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Committee on Economic Research
Cambridge, Massachusetts, U.S.A.
Charles J. Bullock, Chairman
W. M. Persons, Editor
A. E. Monroe, Asst. Editor
F. Y. Presley, Business Mgr.
Charles F. Adams
Nicholas Biddle
Frederic H. Curtiss
Wallace B. Donham
Ogden L. Mills
Eugene V. R. Thayer
October 10, 1921
Professor Charles H. Haskins,
24 University Hall,
Cambridge, Massachusetts.
My dear Sir:
In reply to your letter of October 8th I may say that I will serve on the committee for the general examination of Henry Edward Miller on November 3rd.
Very truly yours,
[signed] Charles J. Bullock/A.H.C.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Usher declares willingness to serve on the general exam committee
THE COLLEGE OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION
OF
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
525 Boylston Street
Boston
Department of Economics
Oct 11, 1921
Dear Prof. Haskins:
I shall be glad to serve on the committees for the general examinations of Mr. Miller and Mr. Bober; though on Tuesday Nov. 3 I should not be able to attend earlier than 3.30 P.M.
As no date has apparently been set for Mr. Bober’s examination, I may say that my class obligations here would make it impossible to attend either on Tuesdays or Fridays before 3.30.
Sincerely yours,
[signed] Abbott Payson Usher
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Young available for the proposed dates of the general exams
6 Hilliard Street, Cambridge, Mass.,
October 11, 1921.
Dear Haskins,
I have your notes informing me of the dates set for the general examinations of Miller and Bober. I have set aside the two dates mentioned, Tuesday, [marginal note “/Thursday?”] November 3, and Thursday, October 27
Yours sincerely,
[signed]
Allyn A. Young
Dean Charles H. Haskins
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
University Hall,
Cambridge, Mass.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Miller informed of date
for his general examination
Copy
13 October 1921
My dear Mr. Miller:
Your general examination will take place on Thursday, 3 November. I am very sorry that it was impossible to arrange for this earlier in the week as you desired.
Very truly yours,
[unsigned]
Mr. H. E. Miller
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Passed General Examination
6 Hilliard Street, Cambridge, Mass.,
November 5, 1921.
Dear Dean Haskins,
On behalf of the committee in charge of the general examination of Mr. Harry Edward Miller for the degree of Ph.D., I beg to report that Mr. Miller passed the examination, which was held on Thursday, November 3.
Yours sincerely,
[signed]
Allyn A. Young
Dean Charles H. Haskins
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
University Hall,
Cambridge, Mass.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dean Haskins asking Young about the general quality of Miller’s general exam
Copy
8 November 1921
Dear Young:
I have your letter of 5 November, notifying me that H. E. Miller passed his general examination.
Could you without inconvenience let me know about the general quality of the examination and whether he had any margin. The Division desires a record of this kind for reference when a candidate comes to the later stages of his work, particularly the special examination, when the Committee may have no personal recollection of the general examination.
Sincerely yours,
[“x” for Haskins]
Professor A. A. Young
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Supplementary Information for
General Examination of H. E. Miller
6 Hilliard Street, Cambridge, Mass.,
November 21, 1921.
Dear Haskins:
I have your note of November 8 asking for supplementary information respecting H. E. Miller’s general examination for the Ph.D. degree.
It was the unanimous opinion of the committee that Miller’s examination was unusually creditable. He showed himself well prepared in each of the subjects offered; he thought clearly; and he was always in command of himself and of his information. In several fields the examination could easily be called brilliant; in all fields it showed unusual competence.
Yours sincerely,
[signed]
Allyn A. Young
Professor Charles H. Haskins, Dean
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
24 University Hall,
Cambridge, Mass.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Request to Prof. Vanderblue to join special examination committee
Copy
14 May 1923
My dear Professor Vanderblue:
Will it be possible for you to serve as a member of the committee for the special examination of H. E. Miller for the Ph.D. in Economics, to be held on Friday, 25 May, at 4 p.m., to take Professor Dewing’s place? Professor Dewing is to be away on that date, and so is unable to attend. I am sending you an examination pamphlet herewith. You will find Mr. Miller’s name on page 20.
Very truly yours,
Secretary of the Division
Professor H. B. Vanderblue
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Request to Prof. Vanderblue to join special examination committee
Copy
17 May 1923
My dear Professor Young:
Mr. H. E. Miller’s examination is on Friday, the 25th, but his thesis is not in yet. I gave it to Professor Sprague to read first, and Professor Bullock’s secretary tells me that it is in her office, signed by Professor Bullock and yourself. Can you tell me when it will be ready to come back to this office?
Very truly yours,
Secretary of the Division
Professor A. A. Young
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Reminder to Young: special examination
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Division of history, Government, and Economics
Cambridge, Massachusetts
22 May 1923
My dear Professor Young:
This is to remind you that you are chairman of the committee for the special examination of H. E. Miller for the Ph.D. in Economics, to be held on Friday, 25 May, at 4 p.m., in Widener U. I enclose Mr. Miller’s papers herewith, also an envelope for their return.
Very truly yours,
[signed]
Esther W. Hinckley
Secretary of the Division
P.S. Professor Vanderblue is to take Professor Dewing’s place on the committee.
Professor A.A. Young
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Reminder to Miller: special examination
Copy
Cambridge, Massachusetts
22 May 1923
My dear Mr. Miller:
This is to remind you that your special examination for the Ph.D. in Economics, to be held on Friday, 25 May, at 4 p.m., in Widener U. Professor Vanderblue is to take Professor Dewing’s place on the committee.
Very truly yours,
Secretary of the Division
Mr. H. E. Miller
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Passed Special Examination
6 Hilliard Street,
Cambridge, Massachusetts
May 26, 1923.
My dear Haskins,
On behalf of the committee appointed to conduct the special examination of Mr. Harry E. Miller for the degree of Ph.D., I beg to report that Mr. Miller passed the examination. He made a very creditable showing, – distinctly above the average.
Yours sincerely,
[signed]
Allyn A. Young
Professor Charles H. Haskins, Dean
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
University Hall.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Record of Harry Edward Miller
| Grades | ||
| 1919-20 | Course |
Half-Course |
|
Economics 2a1 |
|
B plus |
|
Economics 2b2 |
|
A minus |
|
Economics 11 |
A |
|
|
Economics 31 |
B plus |
|
|
Economics 41 |
A |
|
| 1920-21 | Course |
Half-Course |
|
Economics 14 |
A minus |
|
|
Economics 15 |
A |
|
|
Economics 382 |
|
A |
|
Government 6 |
A |
|
| 1921-22 | Course |
Half-Course |
|
Economics 20 (2 co.) |
AA |
|
| 1922-23 | Course |
Half-Course |
|
Economics 20 |
[left blank] |
|
Source: Harvard University Archives. Division of History, Government & Economics, Ph.D. Degrees Conferred 1929-30. (UA V 453.270), Box 09.
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Course Names and Instructors
1919-20
Economics 2a 1hf. European Industry and Commerce in the Nineteenth Century. Dr. E. E. Lincoln.
Economics 2b 2hf. Economic History of the United States. Dr. E. E. Lincoln.
Economics 11. Economic Theory. Professor Taussig.
Economics 31. Public Finance. Professor Bullock.
Economics 41. Statistical Theory and Analysis. Asst. Professor Day
1920-21
Economics 14. History and Literature of Economics to the year 1848. Professor Bullock.
Economics 15. Modern Schools of Economic Thought. Professor Young.
Economics 382. Selected Monetary Problems. Professor Young.
Government 6. History of Political Theory. Professor McIlwain.
1921-23
Economics 20. Research Seminars.
Source: Harvard University. Report of the President of Harvard College for 1919-20, 1920-21.
__________________________
Harry Edward Miller
Timeline of his life and career
1897. Born [Aaron Miller] on October 10 in Boston.
1918. Military service.
1919. A.B. Boston University.
1920. A.M. in economics Harvard University.
1923. Ph.D. in economics, Harvard. (Report of the President of Harvard College, 1922-23, p. 52)
1923-24. Assistant Professor, Clark University. Cf. Holyoke Daily Transcript (18 Aug 1923). [Note: Unable to find mention of Harry Edward Miller in the relevant Clark University catalogues.]
1924. Joins the Brown economics department at the rank of assistant professor.
1927. Banking Theories in the United States before 1860. Harvard University Press. Revision of Ph.D. thesis.
1928. Appointed associate professor on the Eastman Foundation, Brown University.
1930. Appointed Eastman Professor of Political Economy, Brown University.
1931. Chairman of the Rhode Island special commission for liquor legislation.
1935. Married Rosabelle Winer of New York.
1937. Died November 14 at Beth Israel Hospital in Brookline, Mass.
Sources: Obituary published in The New York Times (November 15, 1937) and the article “Harry Edward Miller” at online Encyclopedia Brunoniana.
Image Source: The Third Seal of Brown University (1834). The seal is still in use today.