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Ida Merriam papers

 Collection
Identifier: MS2086

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).

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

Contact:
2130 H Street NW
Washington 20052 United States of America