Marion H. Hedges collection

Collection

Identifier: MC 56

Staff Only

Abstract

Marion Hawthorne Hedges worked as an English professor at Beloit College from 1913-1920, before he published the controversial book Iron City and was subsequently asked to leave. After resigning, he worked as a journalist for a few years before going into the work of improving labor relations. This collection contains a significant number of news articles and publication information, as well as correspondence and physical books.

Dates

1913-1995

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research; however, certain materials are very fragile and require Archives staff for handling, or use may be restricted altogether.

Biographical / Historical

A graduate of Depauw University and Harvard, Marion Hedges was a popular English and Rhetoric professor at Beloit College from 1913-1920, although it is claimed that he was more radical than the other professors. He helped found the journalism honor society, Sigma Delta Chi, which changed its name to the Society for Professional Journalists in 1988, in addition to founding the National Economic and Social Planning Association. He was asked to leave after the publication of Iron City, which negatively portrayed Beloit College. After leaving Beloit, he worked as a journalist for four years before working with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, as well as other organizations related to improving labor relations. He died of a heart attack in 1959. Iron City was re-published in the early 1990s.