Esther Andreen Albrecht papers and printing plates

Esther Miriam Andreen was born 4 September 1896 in New Haven, Connecticut to parents Gustav and Marie Andreen. Her father became the fourth president of Augustana College in 1901. Albrecht had two older brothers, Paul and Marion, and two younger brothers, Gustav and Carl. She attended the Augustana Academy from 1908 to 1914, and enrolled at Augustana College in the fall of 1914, where she studied Modern Languages. She was a member of the Sigma Kappa Tau sorority, the Adelphic Society, the Woman’s Club and the Inter-collegiate Prohibition Association. She was a photographer for the Rockety-I and served as class secretary her freshman year.

Albrecht graduated in 1918 with a Bachelor of Arts degree, and went on to receive two masters’ degrees from the University of Illinois, one in education and one in English. One of her theses was titled, “Gustav Andreen and the Growth of Augustana College and Theological Seminary .” She taught in public schools for 25 years, and served as Director of Student Teaching in the Education Department of Augustana College from 1962 to 1967. Albrecht published several books and articles relating to Augustana College heritage. She retired in 1967 with the status of Professor Emeritus. Albrecht published a fiction book in 1970.

Esther Miriam Andreen married Arthur J. Albrecht, an attorney and later teacher in the Rock Island Public Schools, in 1922. They had three daughters, Greta, Miriam and Lorraine. Arthur Albrecht died in 1961. Esther Andreen Albrecht died in Austin, Texas, 1 September 2001, at the age of 105.