Origins & Early Life

Albion Woodbury Small (May 11, 1854 – March 24, 1926) founded the first independent department of sociology in the United States at the University of Chicago in Chicago, Illinois, in 1892. He was influential in the establishment of sociology as a valid field of academic study. Albion Woodbury Small was born in Buckfield, Maine, to parents Reverend Albion Keith Parris Small and Thankful Lincoln Woodbury. His ancestors settled in Maine in 1632.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

He lived in Bangor, Maine, and then Portland, Maine, where he attended public schools in both places. He attended Colby University, now known as Colby College, from 1872 until he graduated in 1876. He studied theology from 1876 to 1879 at the Andover Newton Theological School. From 1879 to 1881 he studied at the University of Leipzig and the University of Berlin in Germany history, social economics and politics. While in Germany, he married Valeria von Massow in June 1881, with whom he had one child.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In the fall of 1881, he became chair of history and political economy at Colby College. From 1888 to 1889 he studied history at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and was promoted in 1889 with a PhD thesis (The Beginnings...

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• 1854 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1854
• May 11 (05-11) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on May 11
• 1926 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1926
• March 24 (03-24) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on March 24