Summary
Abstract
Ruth Ayres-Givens served several agencies of the federal government as a consumer economist (1934-1947) before joining the Penn State home economics faculty (1952-1969).
Dates
- Creation: 1915-1986
Extent
31 Linear Feet
Background
Biographical / Historical
Ruth W. Ayres-Givens was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, 28 December 1901. She earned an A.B. and M.A. from Radcliffe College and a Ph.D. from the Robert Brookings Graduate School. She began her career in September 1929 when she accepted a teaching position in economics at the Washington Square College of New York University. In 1934, Ayres-Givens was the consumer representative of the National Recovery Administration for the oil industry. This was the start of her distinguished government service. In 1936 she became the metropolitan director for New York City of the National Urban Study of Consumer Purchases for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ayres-Givens also served as the economist for the Mayor's Milk Committee for New York City. This committee, composed of representatives from the City of New York, regraded bottled milk for government programs. She was the chief of the Program Activities Branch of the Consumer Division for the Office of Price Administration. From 1943 to 1947, Ayres-Givens served as Chief of the Cost of Living and Allowance Determination Branch for the Office of the Foreign Service. In 1952, Ruth Ayres-Givens came to Penn State and was head of the Department of Clothing and Textiles from 1952 until 1967. She continued as Penn State professor and consultant until 1969. Ruth Ayres-Givens died on 15 December 1989.
Scope and Contents
Ruth W. Ayres-Givens was born in Waltham, Massachusetts, 28 December 1901. She earned an A.B. and M.A. from Radcliffe College and a Ph.D. from the Robert Brookings Graduate School. She began her career in September 1929 when she accepted a teaching position in economics at the Washington Square College of New York University. In 1934, Ayres-Givens was the consumer representative of the National Recovery Administration for the oil industry. This was the start of her distinguished government service. In 1936 she became the metropolitan director for New York City of the National Urban Study of Consumer Purchases for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Ayres-Givens also served as the economist for the Mayor's Milk Committee for New York City. This committee, composed of representatives from the City of New York, regraded bottled milk for government programs. She was the chief of the Program Activities Branch of the Consumer Division for the Office of Price Administration. From 1943 to 1947, Ayres-Givens served as Chief of the Cost of Living and Allowance Determination Branch for the Office of the Foreign Service. In 1952, Ruth Ayres-Givens came to Penn State and was head of the Department of Clothing and Textiles from 1952 until 1967. She continued as Penn State professor and consultant until 1969. Ruth Ayres-Givens died on 15 December 1989.
Scope and Contents
This collection of consumer economist Ruth Ayres-Givens includes extensive and detailed information on international oil prices (1930s), milk and consumer goods (1940s), materials related to her textile courses (1950s-1970s), and personal and family materials.
Physical Location
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Penn State University Libraries catalog via the link above. Archival collections may be housed in offsite storage. For materials stored offsite, please allow 2-3 business days for retrieval.
Processing Information
Processed by Special Collections staff.
Using These Materials
Repository Details
Part of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library Repository
104 Paterno Library
Penn State University
University Park 16802 USA
(814) 865-1793
spcollections@psu.edu
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Photocopies of original materials may be made available for research purposes at the discretion of the Eberly Family Special Collections Library. Photocopies or reproductions of original materials may be subject to fees as outlined by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries reproduction policies. Copyright is retained by the creators of items in these papers, or their descendants, as stipulated by United States copyright law. Patrons seeking advice on the availability of unpublished materials for publication should consult relevant copyright law and laws of libel.
Preferred Citation
[Identification of item], Ruth Ayres-Givens papers, 00089, Eberly Family Special Collections Library, Pennsylvania State University.
- Title
- Guide to the Ruth Ayres-Givens papers
- Status
- Published
- Author
- Prepared by Special Collections Library faculty/staff
- Date
- 2011
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2021: As part of bulk updates, Benjamin Mitchell updated standardized notes to current standard