Robert D. W. Connor

Robert D. W. Connor. Robert Digges Wimberly Connor was a pioneering American historian and archivist who played a foundational role in the professionalization of historical scholarship and the preservation of national records. He is best known for his appointment as the first Archivist of the United States, leading the nascent National Archives. His career also included significant contributions as a professor, state historian, and advocate for historical education and archival science.

Early Life and Education

Connor was born in Wilson, North Carolina, to parents Henry Groves Connor and Kate Whitfield Connor. He pursued his higher education at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned both his bachelor's and master's degrees. His early academic work was deeply influenced by prominent historians of the American South, fostering a lifelong commitment to documentary research. This foundation at Chapel Hill positioned him for a career dedicated to historical preservation and education.

Career

Connor began his professional life as a teacher and later served as the North Carolina State Historian. He was a founding member and secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, a precursor to the modern North Carolina Office of Archives and History. In 1934, following the passage of the National Archives Act, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him as the first Archivist of the United States. During his tenure, he oversaw the establishment of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., and developed the core principles and procedures for the federal archival system. After leaving the National Archives in 1941, he returned to North Carolina to teach at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later served on the United States Tariff Commission.

Historical Work and Archives

Connor was a prolific author, with his seminal work being the multi-volume History of North Carolina. He was a strong advocate for the American Historical Association's standards of scholarly research and helped bridge the gap between academic history and public history. His leadership at the National Archives involved the critical task of organizing and making accessible the vast records of the U.S. Government, including documents from the American Revolutionary War and the Civil War. He emphasized the importance of archives for a democratic society, influencing the development of state archives across the country, such as the Virginia State Library and the South Carolina Department of Archives and History.

Legacy

Connor's legacy is cemented as the founding architect of the United States' national archival system. The Society of American Archivists recognizes his contributions through awards and memorial lectures. The Robert D. W. Connor Award is presented by the University of North Carolina for outstanding service to the state's history. His philosophies on record-keeping and public access continue to underpin the mission of the National Archives and Records Administration and inspired subsequent Archivists like Wayne Grover and Robert M. Warner. His work ensured the preservation of pivotal documents like the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

Personal Life

Connor married Sadie Hanes, and the couple had three children. He maintained deep roots in North Carolina throughout his life, with strong connections to the communities of Wilson, Raleigh, and Durham. An active member of the Episcopal Church, his personal papers are held by the Southern Historical Collection at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He passed away in Durham, North Carolina and is interred at the historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh.

Category:American archivists Category:American historians Category:1878 births Category:1950 deaths