Robert Beck, Regents' professor emeritus of history and philosophy of education at the University of Minnesota, was asked to complete a comprehensive history of the College of Education. The project was underwritten by the College of Education and the Education Development and Planning Office. Dr. Beck completed interviews with former college faculty and administrations, conducted research in University Archives and studied unpublished essays regarding the college to complete his work. Beyond Pedagogy: A History of the University of Minnesota College of Education was published in 1980.
From the guide to the College of Education. Robert Beck's College history papers, 1970s, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
Robert Holmes Beck was born on November 25, 1918 in New York City. He earned his B.A. in 1939 from Harvard University and his Ph.D. in 1942 from Yale University. From 1943 to 1947, Dr. Beck served in the U.S. Army. After his military service, Dr. Beck joined the faculty at the University of Minnesota as an assistant professor of education. He was promoted to full professor in 1951 and named professor of history and philosophy of education in 1959.
Dr. Beck conducted extensive research in the history and philosophy of educational institutions around the world. He studied in the Netherlands (1955-1956) as a Fulbright Researcher; served a fellowship at the Hebrew University in Israel (1960); was a fellow in the former Soviet Union (1958, 1968 and 1978); studied education institutions in Europe for one year (1967-1968); and researched polytechincal education in East Germany (1984). In 1976, Dr. Beck was named a Regents' professor, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a faculty member at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Beck retired from the University of Minnesota in 1989 as Regents' professor emeritus. Robert Beck died on December 31, 1991.
From the guide to the Robert H. Beck papers, circa 1960s-1970s, (University of Minnesota Libraries. University Archives [uarc])
