The Harold M. Dorr collection provides excellent documentation of the professor's activities both in and out of the classroom. There is extensive material detailing his long-time activities with the Ann Arbor Rotary and as a member of the zoning board and planning commission of Ann Arbor Township. Also documented is his role with the U-M Extension Service and his interest in the university's state-wide education program. The series in the collection are: Family; Correspondence; Other materials; Notebooks; Manuscripts of writings; Department of Political Science; Ann Arbor Township activities; and Topical and organizational activities. Portions of the collection are unprocessed.
Dr. Harold M. Dorr was born in Chadwick, Mich., on Jan. 16, 1897. He received three degrees (bachelor of arts, 1923; master of arts, 1928; doctor of philosophy, 1933) from the University of Michigan.
After serving five years as high school principal and superintendent of schools in his boyhood home in Lake City, Mich., he joined the U-M faculty in 1928 becoming full professor in 1944. His specialty was American government and constitutional law.
Dorr was appointed director of the university's summer session in 1950 and, six years later, he was elevated to the newly created post of dean of statewide education. In that capacity he was responsible for the Extension Service, the Audio-Visual Center and other off-campus educational functions. Dorr played an important role in the organization of the U-M-Flint and in the development of the U-M-Dearborn.
In 1949 Dorr was a special consultant commissioned to study legislatures and legislative procedures in the American Zone in Germany. In 1950 he was assigned to Germany as a governmental specialist by the US State Department.
Dorr was a member of the American Political Science Association, the Conference of Midwest Political Scientists (president, 1949-50), the American Academy of Political and Social Science, the American Society for Public Administration of University Professors (a member of the National Council, 1941-54), Pi Sigma Alpha and Phi Kappa Phi.
At the state level, his service included consulting work with the Department of Public Instruction and as a member of the Michigan Civil Service oral examining boards. He also was active in adult education and taught extension classes and lectured extensively throughout the state. Dorr was equally active in civic and local affairs. He served on the Washtenaw County Selective Service Board for more than 20 years and on the Ann Arbor Township Zoning Board and Planning Commission. He was president of the Ann Arbor Rotary Club (1952-53) and district governor (1954-55).
Harold M. Dorr died on January 31, 1973.
