This post adds further biographical/career information for the sixth woman to be awarded a Ph.D. in economics at the University of Chicago, Leona Margaret Powell, to that provided in an earlier page listing early Chicago economics PhDs (1894-1926). The arc of Powell’s career took her from librarian, to expert on the United Typothetae of America to managing editor of the Handbook of Business Administration, and back to the manager of the Bureau of Research and Information at the American Management Association.
Powell’s partial bibliography is found in the Bibliography of Female Economic Thought (Madden, Seiz, and Pujol, eds.), p. 381.
For over twenty years Leona M. Powell lived together with the English woman Phyllis Moulton, interpolating the 1920-40 U.S. census reports. It is not unlikely that the two met when Powell was working in London in 1918. By the 1940 census Moulton’s relation to the Powell’s “head of the household” was listed as “partner”. I believe Moulton died in 1942.
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1884, July 19. Born in Grand Rapids, Ohio.
Parents: Octavia Allison née Crooks (1844-1933), Israel Powell (1845-1887).
1905. A.B. Ohio Wesleyan University. Awarded High honors upon graduation.
Phi Beta Kappa (Source: DePauw University yearbook Mirage (1911), p. 182)
1906-07[?]. Simmons College, School of Library Science, Boston, MA. (Source: DePauw University yearbook Mirage (1911), p. 182)
1909. Promoted from assistant librarian to head librarian of DePauw University, Greencastle, IN. Succeeding previous librarian who married the professor of rhetoric and English literature at the university and resigned Dec. 15, 1908. (Source: DePauw Alumnus 1938, p. 3.)
In the 1911 DePauw University yearbook Mirage Powell is identified as the university librarian (“past two years and a half”). Note: I have not seen the 1912 edition of Mirage, but in 1913 edition, Powell is no longer identified as the university librarian. Margaret Gilmore (Powell’s previous assistant: “acting librarian”)
1915. Assistant in Political Economy, University of Chicago.
1916-17. Assistant in Political Economy, University of Chicago.
1917. Author of Lesson B12 “Impersonality of modern life” in the U.S. Education Bureau’s Community Leaflets. Lessons in community and national life, edited by Charles H. Judd and Leon C. Marshall. Series B, pp.97-104.
1918-19. Clerk at the U.S. Shipping Board, Lancaster House, London SW1.
“Powell, Leona M., in case of emergency notify mother, Mrs. Octavia A. Powell, 6049 Ellis Avenue, Chicago, Illinois.” Departure Date 14 Sept 1918 from New York. Civilian casual: “…on official Business U.S. Shipping Board”. (Source: U.S. Army Transport Service Arriving and Departing Passenger Lists, 1910-1939.)
Arrival in Liverpool aboard the SS Lapland of the White Star Steamship line on 29 Sept 1918 from New York. Passenger: “Powell, Leona M. Amer Shppg. Lancaster House, London SW1 clerk”. (Source: ancestry.com)
Return to New York City on 6 July 1919 aboard the S.S. Noordam from Falmouth UK (June 23, 1919 depart). Note: In addition to Leona M. Powell (age 35 of Chicago), another passenger on the ship was Hazel Kyrk (age 32, Ashley, Ohio). (Source: ancestry.com)
1920. U.S. Census:
Roomers at 6049 Ellis Ave: Leona Powell (editorial work, government) and her mother, Octavia. Also listed as roomer was Phylis Moulton (secretary, Art Store) age 30 (year of immigration 1919).
Note. Arrived 21 Dec. 1919 in New York on the S.S. Saxonia from London, Phyllis M. Moulton 30 years age, single. “Stenog. Nearest relative: 31 Meranda Rd, London, N. 19. Mother: Mrs Moulton. Final destination Chicago, Ill.” (Source: ancestry.com)
1923. Bureau of Industrial Relations of the United Typothetae of America.
1924. Ph.D., University of Chicago.
Thesis title: A history of the United Typothetae of America, with especial reference to labor policy.
1926. Leona Margaret Powell. History of the United Typothetae of America. University of Chicago: Chicago,
An account of the origin, development, and policies of the United Typothetae of America, which is the association of master printers of the United States and Canada. Contains chapters on national agreements with the unions, and the eight-hour day.
1928, September. Preface to Emily Clark Brown’s Joint Industrial Control in the Book and Job Printing Industry. BLS Bulletin No. 481 (December 1928)
“and my friends under whose direction I had my introduction to labor problems in the printing industry in the department of industrial relations of the United Typothetae of America….Leona M. Powell of the research bureau of the New York Employing Printers’ Association.
1930. U.S. Census:
Address: Hudson Terrace 4, Dobbs Ferry Village in Westchester County, Town of Greenberg.
Head of household: 45 years old single woman, Leona Powell, born in Ohio. Occupation: Research, Industry: Trade Association
Boarder: 40 year old single woman, Phyllis Moulton, born in England, social worker in a clinic.
1931. Handbook of Business Administration, W. J. Donald (Ed.-in-chief) and Leona Powell (Managing ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company, 1931.
1938. Manager, Bureau of Research and Information, American Management Association, New York, N.Y.
1940. U.S. Census:
Address: East 68th Street, New York
Head of household: Leona Powell, Librarian.
Partner: Phyllis Moulton: age 52, Social worker.
1940. Arrival on the S.S. Evangeline, from Yarmouth, N.S. at Boston, MA July 6: Phyllis Moulton and Leona M. Powell. (Source: ancestry.com).
1942. Phyllis Moulton [not entirely certain this is the same Phyllis Moulton, though the birth year is indeed consistent], died Kings (Brooklyn), New York 6 June (birth year about 1889). (Source: ancestry.com)
1971, September 27. Leona Margaret Powell died in Delaware, Ohio.
Image Source: DePauw University yearbook Mirage (1911), p. 182.