Alfred John Pearson
Dr. Alfred John Pearson (Sept. 29, 1869 - August 10, 1939)
Dr. Pearson's career at Drake University started in 1907 when he joined the faculty as a Professor of German Language and Literature. In 1924, he took a leave from Drake when he was appointed Minister to Poland by President Calvin Coolidge. In 1925, he was then appointed Minister to Finland and served until 1930. On his return to Drake, he was appointed Dean of the College of Liberal Arts. He remained in this position until his death.
Dr. Pearson also had another noted experience in his life which time has made more notable. During his travels to Germany in 1934, he interviewed Chancellor Adolph Hitler of Germany on July 6th. Upon his return to the US, he consulted with President Roosevelt and was "asked to give his views regarding the national recovery program and a report on the economic Situation in Germany" [1]. Dr. Pearson wrote an article about the interview which was published in the New York Herald in July ??, 1934 [insert copy]. Another significant point about this interview was its historic timing. The interview was conducted "just days after the Chancellor ordered the political assassinations of the infamous 'Night of the Long Knives'[2].
Dr. Alfred John Pearson - copyright Drake University
As part of the announcement of Dr. Pearson's appointment as the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, his photo was featured on the front of The Drake Alumnus in September of 1930. Quote from Drake University President, Daniel W. Morehouse:
Seven years ago the faculty of the College of Liberal Arts tendered a farewell reception to Dr. Alfred J. Pearson, head of the German Department, and congratulated him on the distinguished honor that had come to him through his appointment as United States Consul and Envoy Plenipotentiary to a European nation, Poland.
Today, with renewed enthusiasm we welcome him home and congratulate ourselves that he has accepted the deanship of our college, as he terminates his leave of absence[3].
Early Years & Education.
Alfred John Pearson was born September 29, 1869 in Landskrona, Sweden. His family moved to Illinois when he was an infant eventually settling in Kansas in 1875. He graduated from Bethany College, Lindsborg, Kansas in 1893 with an A. B. and in 1896 with a M. A. He earned his Ph.D. from Yale University in 1896 [4].
From 1896-98, Dr. Pearson was a German instructor at Upsala College in Kennilworth, New Jersey and from 1898-1907 was Professor of English and German at Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peters, Minnesota. He joined the Drake University Faculty in 1907 as a Professor of German Language and Literature [4].
References
[1] Alfred J Pearson educator 43 years. (Aug 11, 1939). New York Times, p. 19.
[2] Pearson papers reveal the life of a U.S. diplomat. (Sept-Oct, 2007). Iowa Historian: The Newsletter of the State Historical Society of Iowa. Des Moines, IA: State Historical Society.
[3] The president says. (1930). The Drake Alumnus, 15(1), p.3.
[4] Herriott, F.I. (January, 1941). Alfred John Pearson: An appreciation of a scholar, teach, and diplomat. [reprint from] Annals of Iowa.