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University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library

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Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2113, USA
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Thomas Harrison Reed Papers, 1902-1971

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Summary

Creator:
Reed, Thomas Harrison, 1881-
Abstract:
Consultant in municipal government, professor of political science at the University of California and the University of Michigan. Correspondence and other papers concerning his work with the National Municipal League, as municipal consultant, and as director of studies of the Republican Program Committee.
Extent:
8 linear feet
Language:
English.
Call Number:
85406 Aa 2
Authors:
Finding aid prepared by: Michigan Historical Collections staff

Background

Scope and Content:

The Thomas Harrison Reed Collection is the papers of a man who was an active and important figure in the field of municipal government during much of the first half of this century. The Reed papers consist of eight feet of manuscript material, including correspondence, memos, newspaper clippings, and printed material. Over half of the collection deals primarily with Reed's work as a municipal consultant. The collection also contains a substantial amount of material which pertains to Reed's activities in connection with the American Political Science Association as well as material which relates to his academic career and correspondence with Michigan citizens and legislators and Michigan's Congressional representatives. In addition, the collection includes material on Belgium, Reed's work as city manager of San Jose, and his work with the Republican Program Committee.

The Thomas Harrison Reed Collection provides useful material for research on the history of the activities of the National Municipal League and on trends and issues in municipal government during the first half of the twentieth century in the United States. The collection is also useful to anyone interested in the issues which were involved in the revision of city charters in many American cities during the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. The collection contains, in particular, substantial material on reform in Atlanta during the 1930s.

Although this collection contains material on Reed's association with The University of Michigan and some material which deals with government in Michigan, it would be of little use for research on any aspect of Michigan history. During his twelve-year residence in Michigan, Reed did little work which related specifically to municipal government in this state. He did publish Oakland County: a survey of county and township administration and finance in 1932, but the collection contains nothing of substance relating to this work. With this exception, and aside from some correspondence and a few speeches to such groups as the League of Women Voters, there is no material in this collection which would be of more than passing interest to one engaged in historical research relating to Michigan.

Biographical / Historical:

Reed's career in municipal government began in 1909 and extended well into the 1960s. During this period Dr. Reed held many positions, including Professor of Municipal Government at the University of California, Berkeley, Executive Secretary to the Governor of California, City Manager of San Jose, California, Consultant for the National Municipal League, Director of the National Municipal League's Consultant Services, and privately employed municipal consultant. In his role as municipal consultant, Reed studied the administration and organization of many American cities, including Atlanta, Augusta, Charleston, S.C., Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Baton Rouge, Shreveport, Norfolk, Richmond, and Hartford, Connecticut.

Dr. Reed was an active member of the American Political Science Association and he maintained a strong interest in Belgium during much of his life. He published a study of Belgian government in 1924, assisted in the translation of Leopold of the Belgians (1929), participated in the activities of the Commission for Relief in Belgium, and was an officer in the Order of Leopold.

Thomas Harrison Reed was born in Boston in 1881. He was educated at Harvard University where he received his AB in 1901 and his LL.B. in 1904. He did post-graduate work at Columbia University in 1908 and 1909 and received an LL. D. from the University of Brussels in 1930. Dr. Reed was a Professor of Political Science at The University of Michigan from 1922 until 1936 when he resigned to devote his full attention to his duties as Director of Consultant Services for the National Municipal League, a position which he held since 1933. Dr. Reed served as Director of Studies for the Republican Program Committee during 1938 and 1939 and thereafter he was a privately employed municipal consultant. Throughout his career, Reed maintained a close association with the National Municipal League and was active in the League's affairs. Reed also held positions on many councils and commissions involved with the study of government in many communities. During his lifetime, Reed was often in contact with such luminaries of the American intellectual establishment as Charles A. Beard, A. Lawrence Lowell, and Charles E. Merriam. Dr. Reed was an accomplished public speaker and a prolific author of books and articles on a variety of topics relating to government. He died in Wethersfield, Connecticut in 1971.

Acquisition Information:
The collection was donated by Mrs. Doris D. Reed (donor no. 5326 ) in 1974.

Contents

Using These Materials

Info for Visitors

How to Request

Ordering Reproductions

Download PDF Finding Aid
RESTRICTIONS:

The collection is open for research.

USE & PERMISSIONS:

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to the Regents of the University of Michigan but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials.

PREFERRED CITATION:

item, folder title, box no., Thomas Harrison Reed Papers, Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan

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Collection

Thomas Harrison Reed Papers, 1902-1971
Call Number 85406 Aa 2
Total components 154
Last indexed 2023-12-08