Photo in 1929 at age 13.

Born 4 Mar 1917, in Scranton, PA. According to sister Elizabeth's "baby book", born at 823 Hem. St., Scranton, PA.

Grew up in Scranton, PA, graduated from Vassar College with an A.B. in 1939 and then from Columbia University with M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in american history in 1940 and 1952. She taught history at Brooklyn, Hunter, Rockford, and Finch Colleges through the 1950-80's, including an 11-year stint in the history department at Vassar College. Her interest was in how ordinary books affected people's views about society. She published two books:

"Guardians of Tradition: American Schookbooks of the Nineteenth Century" (University of Nebraska Press, 1964) Library of Congress Catalog card number 64-17219.

"Myths and Mores in American Best Sellers, 1865-1965" (Garland, 1985) ISBN 0-8240-5667-1.


Social Security Death Index entry:
Name Birth Death Last Residence SSN Issued
RUTH ELSON 04 Mar 1917 Apr 1987 10027 (New York, NY) 053-18-5734 New York

• Married: 31 Jan 1953 in 26 Holly St, Cranford, NJ

1. Living ELSON