Chase, Lew Allen, 1879-1957

Professor of history at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Michigan.

From the description of Lew Allen Chase papers, 1820-1955 (bulk 1894-1927). (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 34423561

Lew Allen Chase was born in Elsie, Michigan, Nov. 13, 1879. He graduated from the Michigan School for the Blind and from Lansing High School in 1901.

Chase married the former Charlotte Pearce in 1903 and later enrolled in the University of Michigan. A victim of hereditary blindness, he was able to carry on his college studies by having his wife and other students read his texts and lecture notes to him. He received his A.B. degree in 1910 and his M.A. degree in 1911.

Chase was an instructor in history at the Hancock and Houghton High Schools from 1911 to 1919, when he joined the faculty of Northern Michigan College. He was head of the college's Department of History until 1940 when it was merged with the Department of Social Sciences. Chase became head of that department also and retained this position until he retired from the college in 1944.

Chase was a member and past president of the Michigan Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letter, the Michigan Historical Commission and the Michigan Historical Society. He was active in the Marquette County Historical Society and served as its corresponding secretary for many years. He also was a member of the American Political Science Association, the American Historical Association,. and the Missouri Historical Society. His affiliations also included membership on the Library of Congress Advisory Committee on Books for the Blind.

He was the author of two books, The Government of Michigan and Rural Michigan and wrote articles for Mining Journal and other publications. He died May 21, 1957.

From the guide to the Lew Allen Chase papers, 1820-1955, 1894-1927, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)