William Hodson papers

ca. 1910s-1943

William Hodson (1891-1943) was a social welfare administrator in Minnesota and New York City. In Minnesota he was instrumental in establishing the laws that became Minnesota's children's code. He moved to New York City in 1922 and joined the Russell Sage Foundation, first as director of its Division of Child Welfare, then as director of its Dept. of Social Legislation. He was the executive director of the Welfare Council of New York City from 1924 to 1934 and was Commissioner of Welfare from 1934 to 1943. Hodson was also active in professional organizations, serving as president of the American Association of Social Workers and of the American Public Welfare Association. Collection consists of correspondence, addresses, articles, sound recordings, and other papers relating to Hodson's professional activities in the fields of social work, child welfare and social legislation. Materials document Hodson's work in Minneapolis and in New York City, including his work as Commissioner of Public Welfare in New York City during the administration of Fiorello H. La Guardia. Sound recordings include speeches by and interviews with Hodson about various social welfare issues.