Merriam, Charles E., Jr.

Merriam, Charles E. (Edward), Jr. (1874–1953) political scientist; born in Hopkinton, Iowa. While teaching at the University of Chicago from 1900 until his final months, he effectively established political science as a discipline at that university and he had a national reputation as the founder of the behavioral school of political science. He was also involved in Chicago's reform politics; he drafted legislation, served as alderman (1909–17), and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1911. A strong proponent of social science research and planning, he was the founder and president of the Social Science Research Council (1924–27) and led the National Resources Planning Board (1933–43). His many publications include New Aspects of Politics (1925).