The Mortimer E. Cooley papers consists of correspondence, subject files, personal materials, and photographs detailing the professional career and activities of a distinguished engineering educator. The collection has been arranged into the following series: Correspondence; Topical Files; University of Michigan and College of Engineering materials; Genealogical and Miscellaneous; Arbitration, appraisal, and consultation files; Photographs; Naval Logs; and Testimonial and celebratory materials. Box 47 was eliminated during 2001 reprocessing.
Mortimer E. Cooley was born in Canandaigua, New York on March 28, 1855. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1878 as an engineer cadet. He advanced to the rank of assistant engineer in 1880, then in 1881, he was ordered to the University of Michigan as professor of steam engineering and iron shipbuilding. Cooley resigned from the navy in 1885 though he did serve a brief tour of volunteer naval duty during the Spanish-American War as chief engineer of the blockade ship, "Yosemite." In 1904 Cooley was made dean of the Department of Engineering and in 1913 he also selected as dean of the newly combined Departments of Engineering and Architecture (renamed in 1915 the College of Engineering and Architecture). Cooley retired as dean in 1928 but remained active at the University and in other capacities until his death in 1944.
Cooley made his mark as a expert in the area of public utilities, helping to develop standardized and meaningful methods for evaluating public utilities. In 1900, at the request of Governor Hazen S. Pingree, Cooley collaborated with U-M economist Henry Carter Adams in devising a viable and scientific method of determining railroad valuation for purposes of taxation. Because of the significance of this work, both Wisconsin and Minnesota looked to Cooley for help in developing their own systems of railroad evaluation. In addition, Cooley served as long-time advisor for the Interstate Commerce Commission and was its first consultant in its nationwide railroad appraisal program.
Cooley ran unsuccessfully for the United States Senate from Michigan in 1924. Among other issues, Cooley campaigned on the need for conservation and efficiency of resource use. Cooley believed that there should be more technically trained individuals in the Congress, including engineers and economist, not just attorneys and professional politicians. During the New Deal, Cooley was named state engineer for the Public Works Administration.
Cooley died August 25, 1944.
