Robert Digges Wimberly Connor

Robert Digges Wimberly Connor was a renowned American historian and the first Archivist of the United States, serving from 1934 to 1941. He played a crucial role in establishing the National Archives and Records Administration and was a prominent figure in the development of historical preservation in the United States. Connor's work was influenced by notable historians such as Herbert Baxter Adams and John Spencer Bassett, and he was associated with institutions like the American Historical Association and the Southern Historical Association. His contributions to the field of history were recognized by Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the North Carolina Historical Society.

● Early Life and Education

Robert Digges Wimberly Connor was born on September 26, 1878, in Wilmington, North Carolina, to a family of modest means. He attended Graham High School and later enrolled in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1899. Connor then pursued his graduate studies at the University of Chicago, earning his master's degree in 1903, and later at Johns Hopkins University, where he earned his Ph.D. in 1909 under the guidance of Herbert Baxter Adams. During his academic career, Connor was influenced by prominent historians such as Frederick Jackson Turner and Woodrow Wilson, and he developed a strong interest in American history, particularly in the areas of colonial history and the American Revolution.

● Career

Connor began his career as a historian and educator, teaching at various institutions, including the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Duke University, and Randolph-Macon College. He was also a member of the American Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association, and the North Carolina Historical Society, and he served as the editor of the North Carolina Historical Review. Connor's research focused on the history of North Carolina and the American South, and he published several books and articles on these topics, including works on William Tryon and the Regulator Movement. His work was recognized by institutions such as the Library of Congress and the National Archives and Records Administration, and he was awarded the Justin Winsor Prize by the American Historical Association.

● Archivist of

the United States In 1934, Connor was appointed as the first Archivist of the United States by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a position he held until 1941. During his tenure, Connor played a crucial role in establishing the National Archives and Records Administration and in developing the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.. He worked closely with other prominent figures, including J. Franklin Jameson and Solon J. Buck, to develop the archives and to promote the preservation of historical records. Connor's work as Archivist was influenced by the New Deal policies of President Roosevelt and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and he was involved in the development of programs such as the Historical Records Survey and the Federal Writers' Project.

● Later Life and Legacy

After retiring as Archivist in 1941, Connor returned to North Carolina and continued to work as a historian and educator. He was involved in various historical projects, including the development of the North Carolina State Archives and the State Historical Society of North Carolina. Connor's legacy as a historian and archivist was recognized by institutions such as Duke University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and the North Carolina Historical Society, and he was awarded the North Carolina Award for his contributions to the field of history. His work continues to influence historians and archivists, including those at the National Archives and Records Administration, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution.

● Historical Impact

Robert Digges Wimberly Connor's contributions to the field of history and archival science have had a lasting impact on the development of historical preservation in the United States. His work as the first Archivist of the United States helped to establish the National Archives and Records Administration as a premier institution for the preservation of historical records. Connor's research and writings on American history and the American South have influenced generations of historians, including C. Vann Woodward and David M. Potter. His legacy continues to be recognized by institutions such as the American Historical Association, the Southern Historical Association, and the North Carolina Historical Society, and his work remains an important part of the historical record, alongside that of other notable historians such as Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. and Doris Kearns Goodwin.