Ida Merriam papers
Collection Scope and Content
This collection contains minutes, contracts, reports, legislative bills, statements, publications, correspondence, memos, and testimony. This material dates from 1926-1983. These papers relate to the Merriam's work with the Social Security Bureau of Research and Statistics.
The materials within this collection represent a broad range of research topics associated with the Social Security Administration. Administrative files outlining Social Security Administration goals illustrate major research and policy interests of the time period. Strengths of the collection include documents relating to health and disability insurance, poverty studies, and welfare.
Dates
- 1926-1983
Restrictions on Access
Some records may be restricted.
Restrictions on Use
Some material may be copyrighted or restricted. It is the patron's obligation to determine and satisfy copyright or other case restrictions when publishing or otherwise distributing materials found in the collections.
Historical or Biographical Note
Ida C. Merriam (1904-1997) began working in Social Security in 1936, when she joined what become the Social Security Administration's Research and Statistics Bureau. She rose to become head of the Bureau's Division of Coordination Studies, then became Assistant Director and then Director of Research and Statistics. She retired in 1972 after finishing her distinguished career as Assistant Commissioner of the Office of Research and Statistics.
During her years at Social Security, Merriam led groundbreaking studies on disability and health insurance, drafted major reports for congressional committees, and directed the publication of Social Security technical studies and statistics. She was a founding member of the National Academy of Social Insurance. In 1966 was one of six winners of the Federal Woman's Award.
She graduated in 1925 from Wellesley University and went on to earn a doctorate in economics from the Brookings Graduate School of Economics and Government in 1928.
Ida Merriam died on April 8, 1997 at the age of 92.
Extent
29 Linear Feet
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Collection contains minutes, contracts, reports, legislative bills, statements, publications, correspondence, memos, and testimony from 1926-1983 relating to Ida Merriam's work with the Social Security Bureau of Research and Statistics.
Collection Organization
Organized into three series: Administrative files, Legislation, Reports and studies
Physical Location
Materials are stored off-site, and will require additional retrieval time. Please contact the Special Collections Research Center for more information.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated in 1984 by Ida Merriam. In 2018 Dr. Edward Berkowitz donated materials from his time with the GW history department. In this donation were some Ida Merriam materials. (acc 2018.012).
- Merriam, Ida Craven
- National Academy of Social Insurance (U.S.)
- Social security Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- United States. Social Security Administration
- United States. Social Security Administration. Division of Research and Statistics
- Washington (D.C.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Title
- Guide to the Ida Merriam papers, 1926-1983
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University
- Date
- 2006
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections Research Center, The George Washington University Repository
