For three Harvard political science Ph.D. candidates in 1901-02 [Note: economics fell under “political science” in the administrative division at the time] this posting provides information about their respective academic backgrounds, the six subjects of their general examinations along with the names of the examiners, their special subject, thesis title and advisor(s) (where available). King and Bushée would have been easily classified under “economics” later. Seaman’s teaching assistantships were in history and constitutional law, so he would have been more likely classified under “government” later.
Other years, previously transcribed and posted:
1903-04
1904-05
1906-07
1907-08
1908-09
1909-10
1910-11
1911-12
1912-13
1913-14
1915-16
1917-18
1918-19
1926-27
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DIVISION OF HISTORY
AND POLITICAL SCIENCE
EXAMINATIONS FOR THE DEGREE OF Ph.D.
1901-02
Eight candidates will take either the first or second examination: two more candidates … will take both. All examinations will be held on Thursday (except Tuesday, May 27, and Wednesday, June 11) at 3.30 p.m. in the Faculty Room.
[…]
6. William Lyon Mackenzie King.
Special Examination in Political Science, Thursday, May 22, 1902.
Committee of Examination: Professors Carver, Macvane, Beale, Ripley, Drs. Durand, Andrew, Sprague, Mr. Meyer.
Academic History: University of Toronto, 1891-96 (A. B. 1895, LL.B. 1896, A.M. 1897); University of Chicago, 1896-97; Harvard Graduate School, 1897-99 (A.M. 1898); Henry Lee Memorial Fellow, 1898-1900; Department of Labour, Canada, 1900-02.
(A) General Subjects. (Examination passed April 14, 1899.)
1. Constitutional Law and Government in England; and Constitutional History of Canada. 2. International Law. 3. Theory of the State. 4. Economic Theory and its History. 5. Applied Economics. 6. Economic History — outline of Europe and the United States. 7. Sociology.
(B) Thesis Subject: “The Sweating System and The Fair Wages Movement.” (With Professor Taussig.)
(C) Special Subject: Labor: History of Labor Organization; History of Labor Legislation.
* * * * * * * * * * *
7. Frederick Alexander Bushée.
Special Examination in Political Science, Tuesday, May 27, 1902.
Committee of Examination: Professors Carver, Macvane, Gross, Ripley, Drs. Durand, Andrew, Sprague, Mr. Cole, Mr. Meyer.
Academic History: Dartmouth College, 1890-94 (Litt.B.); Hartford School of Sociology, 1895-96; Harvard Graduate School, 1897-1901 (A.M. 1898); Paine Fellow, 1899-1900; Assistant in Economies, 1901-02.
(A) General Subjects. (Examination passed April 11, 1900.)
1. Political Institutions in Continental Europe since 1500. 2. Theory of the State. 3. Modern Government and Comparative Constitutional Law. 4. Economic Theory and its History. 5. International Trade; and Financial Legislation of the United States since 1861. 6. Sociology. 7. Socialism and Communism.
(B) Thesis Subject: “The Population of Boston.” (With Professor Taussig.)
(C) Special Subject: The Theories of Sociology since Auguste Comte.
[…]
Special Examination in Political Science, Thursday, June 12, 1902.
Committee of Examination: Professors Hart, Macvane, Ripley, Coolidge, Drs. Durand, Andrew, Sprague, Mr. Meyer.
Academic History: Acadia College, 1888-90 (A.B.); Harvard College, 1894-95 (A.B.); Harvard Graduate School, 1895-98 (A.M. 1896) ; Instructor, University of Vermont, 1901-02.
(A) General Subjects. (Examination passed December 22, 1898.)
1. England to Henry VII. 2. England since Henry VII. 3. Modern Government and Comparative Constitutional Law. 4. Economic Theory and its History. 5. Applied Economics. 6. Economic History. 7. Sociology.
(B) Thesis Subject: “The Intercolonial Railway of Canada.”
(C) Special Subject: Railway Experience and Legislation.
Source: Harvard University Archives. Division of History, Government & Economics. Ph.D. Material through 1917, Box 1. Folder “Ph.D. applications pending.”
Image source: Harvard Gate, ca. 1899. Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540.