Stanley Erikson papers

Robert Stanley Erikson was born in Chicago, Illinois, on August 17, 1906, to Charles F. Erikson and Selma Dahlstrom Erikson. He attended the University of Wisconsin as an undergraduate student, and received his bachelor’s degree in 1929. Erikson then earned his law degree in 1933 and his doctorate in 1939, both from Northwestern University. He married Lila Ellstrom in Chicago on June 12, 1937, and the couple had two sons (Robert Stanley and Allen Frederick). Erikson taught for four years at Rockford College, Rockford, Illinois, before joining the faculty at Augustana College, Rock Island, Illinois, in 1948. He founded the political science department the same year, and remained the chairman of the department until his retirement in 1974. Erikson was also the chairman of the division of social sciences for ten years. He wrote many articles, and co-edited a political science textbook. Erikson died on October 25, 1983, at age 77. The collection includes materials related to Erikson’s career at Augustana College, such as exams, notes, and essays. The collection also includes Erikson’s manuscript for entrance into a doctoral program; notes, drafts, and correspondence related to his entrance to a doctoral program; and political materials including a 1963 Rock Island voter registration form, pamphlets, brochures, mayoral and council campaign publicity materials, correspondence, news clippings, Rock Island government documents (reports, speeches, correspondence, and election propaganda), and information on Rock Island voters.