Frank Dunstone Graham (1890-1949) taught at Princeton from 1921 up to his premature death in 1949. The portrait above however comes from the Dartmouth yearbook for the class of 1922. Graham was briefly an assistant professor of economics there for the 1920-21 academic year. Previous to that, from 1917-19 while working on his Harvard Ph.D. he worked as an instructor in economics at Rutgers.
Graham’s records in the files of the Division of History, Government, and Economics of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at Harvard have been transcribed for this post. From his transcript we now know exactly which courses he attended as a graduate student at Harvard (and his grades) and from his application to candidacy to the Ph.D. we learn a little bit about his undergraduate preparation at Dalhousie University.
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AER obituary for Frank D. Graham
In Memoriam: Frank Dunstone Graham 1890-1949, American Economic Review,Vol. 40, No. 2, Papers and Proceedings of the Sixty-second Annual Meeting of the American Economic Asociation (May, 1950), pp. 585-587.
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HARVARD UNIVERSITY
DIVISION OF HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, AND ECONOMICS
Application for Candidacy for the Degree of Ph.D.
[Note: Boldface used to indicate printed text of the application; italics used to indicate the handwritten entries]
I. Full Name, with date and place of birth.
Frank Dunstone Graham. Dec 31st 1889, Halifax, N.S.
II. Academic Career: (Mention, with dates inclusive, colleges or other higher institutions of learning attended; and teaching positions held.)
Dalhousie University 1906-07: 1910-13
Dalhousie Law School 1913-15
Harvard University 1915-17
Tutor in Classics Dalhousie University 1913-14
Assistant in Political Science Rutgers Univ. 1917-18
III. Degrees already attained. (Mention institutions and dates.)
A.B. Dalhousie Univ. (Halifax N.S.) 1913
LL.B. Ibid 1915
IV. General Preparation. (Indicate briefly the range and character of your undergraduate studies in History, Economics, Government, and in such other fields as Ancient and Modern Languages, Philosophy, etc.)
Two courses in English History.
Elementary Economics. Additional Economics for the degree with distinction. Work covered included Gide’s Principles, Hobson’s Evolution of Modern Capitalism and parts of J. S. Mill and Nicholoson’s on Taxation.
No Government studied in undergraduate work but in my Law course was included. Consitutional and International Law and Consitutional History.
Ancient Languages included 4 years work in Latin and 3 in Greek
Modern Languages I did not study until I came to my graduate work. In Philosophy I took two undergraduate courses one of them devoted to psychology.
V. Department of Study. (Do you propose to offer yourself for the Ph.D., “History,” in “Economics,” or in “Political Science”?)
Economics
VI. Choice of Subjects for the General Examination. (State briefly the nature of your preparation in each subject, as by Harvard courses, courses taken elsewhere, private reading, teaching the subject, etc., etc.)
- Economic Theory. Econ 7 and Econ 11 at Harvard. Private reading on the history of economic theory.
- Economic History. Econ. 2a and 2b at Harvard. Work read for degree of AB with distinction in Economics, Dalhousie Univ. including English Economic History.
- Public Finance. Econ 31. Harvard.
Course in Economics at Dalhousie included Nicholson’s treatment of Taxation - Sociology. Econ 8, 18a, 18b at Harvard. A considerable amount of private reading
- Political Theory. Gov. 6a, 6b Harvard. Degree of LL.B. covers an allied field
- International Trade and Tariffs. Econ 33, Econ 20a at Harvard
VII. Special Subject for the special examination.
International Trade and Tariffs
VIII. Thesis Subject. (State the subject and mention the instructor who knows most about your work upon it.)
International Trade of the United States in the Greenbak Period
IX. Examinations. (Indicate any preferences as to the time of the general and special examinations.)
For general exams. The beginning of the session 1917-18.
For special exam same time toward the close of the session 1917-18.
X. Remarks
[Left blank]
Signature of a member of the Division certifying approval of the above outline of subjects.
[signed] Charles J. Bullock
* * * [Last page of application] * * *
[Not to be filled out by the applicant]
Name: F. D. Graham
Approved: May 25, 1917
Ability to use French certified by C. J. Bullock. 20 May 1917.
Ability to use German certified by C. J. Bullock. 31 May 1918. [D.N.]
Date of general examination June 3, 1918. Passed [D.N.]
Thesis received December 26, 1919.
Read by Professors Taussig, Persons, Day.
Approved January 22, 1920.
Date of special examination February 4, 1920. Passed. [D.T.]
Recommended for the Doctorate January 21, 1920.
Degree conferred [left blank]
Remarks. [left blank]
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Record of FRANK DUNSTONE GRAHAM in the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
1915-16
| Economics 7a1 [half course] [Economic Theory. Prof. Taussig] |
A |
| Economics 81 [half course] [Principles of Sociology, Prof. Carver] |
A |
| Economics 18a2 [half course] [Analytical Sociology, Asst. Prof. Anderson] |
B+ |
| Economics 332 [half course] [International Trade and Tariff Problems. Prof. Taussig] |
B |
| French A | abs. |
| Government 6a1 [half course] [History of Political Theories. Asst. Prof. Holcombe] |
A |
| Government 6b2 [half course] [Political Theories of Modern Times. Asst. Prof. Holcombe] |
A |
| Government 20a [Selected Topics in Municipal Government. Prof. Munro] |
B |
1916-17
| Economics 2a1 [half course] [European Industry and Commerce in the Nineteenth Century. Prof. Gay] |
no return |
| Economics 2b2 [half course] [Economic History of the United States. Prof. Gay] |
B |
| Economics 11 [Economic Theory. Asst. Prof. Day] |
B+ |
| Economics 18b2 [half course] [Historical Sociology. Asst. Prof. Anderson] |
B |
| Economics 20a [half course] [Research course: Economic Theory, also International Trade and Tariff Problems. Prof. Taussig] |
B |
| Economics 31 [Public Finance. Prof. Bullock] |
B+ |
| German A | C |
| Social Ethics 151 [half course] [Recent Theories of Social Reform. Asst. Prof. Foerster] |
A |
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Certification of reading knowledge
of French
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
|
F. W. Taussig |
Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Dear Haskins:
This is to certify that I have examined Mr. Graham and found that he has a suitable reading knowledge of French. I understand that he needs this certificate in connection with his candidacy for the master’s degree, but it may cover the French part of the language requirement if he later comes up for the doctor’s degree.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
Charles J. Bullock
Dean C. H. Haskins
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Postponing General Examination Date
Camp Aloha Summer School
Lake Asquam
Ashland, N.H.
Sept 10th 1917
Mr. Geo. M. Robinson
Harvard University,
Cambridge, Mass.
Dear Mr. Robinson
After conferring with Professor Bullock and on his advice, I have decided to postpone the date for my General examinations until the Spring rather than this Fall as I requested in my application for the exams for the Ph.D. degree. Will you be so good as to make the necessary alterations?
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
Frank D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Ph.D. study plan approved
[Carbon copy]
29 May 1917
Dear Mr. Graham:
At its meeting on Friday, May 25, the Division of History, Government, and Economics voted to approve your plan of study for the Ph.D. in Economics.
Very truly yours,
[unsigned]
Mr. F. D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Postponing General Examination Date
Camp Aloha Summer School
Lake Asquam
Ashland, N.H.
Sept 10th 1917
Mr. Geo. M. Robinson
Harvard University,
Cambridge, Mass.
Dear Mr. Robinson
After conferring with Professor Bullock and on his advice, I have decided to postpone the date for my General examinations until the Spring rather than this Fall as I requested in my application for the exams for the Ph.D. degree. Will you be so good as to make the necessary alterations?
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
Frank D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Scheduling General Examination
[Carbon copy]
7 February 1918
My dear Mr. Graham:
Mr. Robinson has shown me your letter of January 28. It is not easy to arrange examinations for the first of June, as professors’ engagements are very uncertain after the beginning of the final examination period. I would suggest that you arrange to get away some day in May and come up for the examination, say on a Saturday. I should be glad to arrange any such day at your convenience. If that does not work out, let me know and I will see what we can do early in June.
Sincerely yours,
[unsigned]
Mr. F. D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Certification of reading knowledge
of French and German for Ph.D.
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
|
F. W. Taussig |
Cambridge, Massachusetts |
My dear Haskins:
This is to certify that Mr. F. D. Graham has today passed the examination in French and German required for candidates for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
Charles J. Bullock
Dean C. H. Haskins
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
General examination passed
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Department of Economics
|
F. W. Taussig |
Cambridge, Massachusetts |
My dear Haskins:
Yesterday afternoon Mr. F. D. Graham passed his general examination for the doctor’s degree. Mr. Graham’s examination was not brilliant in any way, but it was distinctly better than the average general examination.
Very truly yours,
[signed]
Charles J. Bullock
Dean C. H. Haskins
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Expecting Christmas time 1919 for thesis submission
Alumni House,
New Brunswick N.J.
Dec. 13th 1919
Dear Miss Taylor
Your letter of yesterday is under my hand. The preliminary draft of my thesis lay for a long time in the hands of Professor Taussig and of Professor Persons with whom Professor Taussig had consulted about it. Pressure of business prevented them from returning it sooner. As a consequence its completion was a good deal delayed. I have however been hurrying it forward of late as rapidly as possible and expect to have it ready about Christmas time. If you will give me an address to which to send it then, I shall get it off just as soon as possible.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
Frank D. Graham
Miss Dorothy Taylor
Secretary of the Division
of History, Government & Economics
Harvard University
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Instructions for thesis drop-off
[Carbon copy]
15 December 1919
My dear Mr. Graham:
Your thesis when completed should be sent to 24 University Hall, in care of Mr. G. W. Robinson, the Secretary of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. I shall then see that it is submitted to the committee at once.
Very truly yours,
[unsigned]
Secretary of the Division.
Mr. F. D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Members of thesis committee
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Division of History, Government, and Economics
Cambridge, Massachusetts
F. D. Graham
16 December 1919
Committee on Thesis
Professor Taussig or (Prof. Sprague)
Professors Persons and Day
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Dropping off copy of thesis
on Christmas day
25th December 1919
Mr. George W. Robinson
Harvard University
Dear Mr. Robinson:
This is my Ph.D. thesis with the required summary. I was passing through Cambridge today and brought it with me. Miss Dorothy Taylor wrote me that if I delivered it to you she would see that it got into the proper hands.
Sincerely yours,
[Signed]
Frank D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Passing completed thesis
around committee
[Carbon copy]
26 December 1919
Dear Taussig:
I find that the other members of Graham’s thesis committee are Professor Persons and Professor Day. If you could get it to either of these before you leave for Chicago, they could doubtless work on it next week. If that is not convenient for you, if you could get it either to Miss Ham or to my office we could see that it reaches the next member of the committee.
Truly yours,
[unsigned]
Professor F. W. Taussig
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Request for Graham’s preference for date of special examination
[Carbon copy]
14 January 1920
My dear Mr. Graham:
Dean Haskins would be glad to know whether you have any preference as to the date of your special examination for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy. If you wish to come up for the degree at mid-years, the examination must be held not later than 7 February. Your thesis is still in the hands of the committee, but will probably be accepted.
Very truly yours,
[unsigned]
Secretary of the Division.
Mr. F. D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Graham Confirms Time and Place
of his Special Examination
Alumni House
New Brunswick N.J.
Jan 28th 1920
My dear Miss Taylor,
Your letter of the 14th inst. [“instant” = of the current month] is under my hand.
My preference as regards a date for my Doctor’s examination is for Wednesday, Febrary 4th, or Thursday, February 5th. If either of those dates is satisfactory to my examiner and to the committee I wish you would so inform me.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
Frank D. Graham
Miss Dorothy Taylor
Secretary of the Division
of History, Government & Economics
Harvard University
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Committee Named for the General Exam
[Carbon copy]
[Note: T. N. Carver did not serve on the committee and J. S. Davis added later, see letter from the Secretary of the Division (January 31, 1920) below.]
21 January 1920
My dear Mr. Graham:
Dean Haskins is arranging your special examination for the doctorate for Wednesday, 4 February, at 4 P. M. The committee will consist of Professor Carver (Chairman), and Professors Persons, Day, and Sprague.
I will notify you as to the place later.
Sincerely Yours,
[unsigned]
Secretary of the Division.
Mr. F. D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Response Cards from
Examiners for Frank D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Day Requested to Replace Carver
As Chair of Exam Committee
[Carbon copy]
24 January 1920
My dear Mr. Day:
As Professor Carver is to be away at the time of Mr. Graham’s examination on 4 February, Dean Haskins would be glad if you would serve as Chairman of the committee.
Sincerely Yours,
[unsigned]
Secretary of the Division.
Professor E. E. Day.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Time and Place for Special Exam
[Carbon copy]
26 January 1920
My dear Mr. Graham:
I am glad to be able to inform you that your thesis has been accepted. Your examination on 4 February will be held in Widener U at 4 P. M. Will you please acknowledge the receipt of this letter, in order that the Committee may know definitely that you will be present at the examination?
Sincerely Yours,
[unsigned]
Secretary of the Division.
Mr. F. D. Graham
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Graham Confirms Time and Place
of his Special Examination
Alumni House
New Brunswick N.J.
Jan 28th 1920
Dear Miss Taylor,
I have your letter of the 26th reporting the acceptance of my thesis and naming the date and place of my special examination
Sincerely,
[signed]
Frank D. Graham
Miss Dorothy Taylor
Sect’y of the Division
of History, Gov’t & Econ.
Harvard University
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Final Committee
for the Special Examination
[Carbon copy]
31 January 1920
My dear Mr. Day:
I enclose Mr. Graham’s application blank and a copy of his record in the Gradute School of Arts and Sciences for your use at his special examination on Wednesday, 4 February, at 4 P.M. The examination will be held in Widener U. The committee as it now stands consists of Professors Day (Chairman), Persons, Sprague, and Davis.
May I ask you to return the application with a written statement of the quality and result of the examination as soon as possible?
Sincerely yours
Secretary the Division.
Professor E. E. Day.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Passed Special Exam
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Committee on Economic Research
|
Charles J. Bullock, Chairman W. M. Persons, Statistician |
Wadsworth House February 4, 1920 |
Dean Charles H. Haskins,
Division of History, Government, and Economics,
University Hall,
Cambridge, Mass.
Dear Mr. Haskins,
I return herewith Frank Dunstone Graham’s record in candidacy for the degree of Ph.D. Graham passed his special examination in Widener U this afternoon. It was the unanimous opinion of the members of the committee present – Professor Sprague being absent – that Graham’s examination was disappointing; but there was no question about his having passed.
Sincerely yours,
[signed]
Edmund E. Day
EED A
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Memo asking for return of thesis
[Carbon copy]
9 February 1920
My dear Professor Davis:
Miss Ham tells me that you were good enough to offer to bring back Mr. Graham’s thesis, which was taken from University 24 last week for use at the examination. We should appreciate it if the thesis could be returned immediately, since it should be on hand in case any of the Faculty wish to examine it at the meeting on Thursday.
Sincerely yours,
[unsigned]
Secretary of the Division.
Professor J. S. Davis
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Ph.D. Dissertation
Frank Dunstone Graham’s 1920 Ph.D. thesis “The International Trade of the United States in the Greenback Period.” A condensed version was later published “International trade under depreciated paper, the United States, 1862-1879,” Quart. Journ. Econ., 1922, 36: 220-273.
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Image Source: Dartmouth College, The 1922 Aegis. Vol 64, p. 60.