Selma J. Mushkin Papers
Collection
Identifier: GTM-820102
The Selma J. Mushkin Papers comprise the research materials amassed by Selma J. Mushkin (1913-1979), an economist at Georgetown University and George Washington University and a governmental official. The collection includes chronological correspondence for the years 1965 to 1967. It also contains correspondence and reports concerning the Planning Programming Budgeting System (PPBS) and the related 5-5-5 Project regarding state and local budgeting. Documents concerning the National Governors' Conference are also present. Also included is a large run of typescripts and articles written by Selma J. Mushkin from the late 1960s to the early 1970s while she was the director of the Public Services Laboratory (PSL) at Georgetown University about governmental budgeting and public health administration.
Most manuscripts collections at the Georgetown University Library Booth Family Center for Special Collections are open to researchers; however, restrictions may apply to some collections. Collections stored off-site require a minimum of three days for retrieval. For use of all manuscripts collections, researchers are advised to contact the Booth Family Center for Special Collections in advance of any visit.
Selma J. Mushkin (Mrs. Israel Saul Weissbrodt) was born in New York City on December 31, 1913. She attended Brooklyn College where she received a B.A. degree in 1934. Subsequently, she earned an M.A. from Columbia University in 1935 and a PhD in economics from the New School for Social Research in 1956.
Mushkin's career as an economist and educator spanned decades, beginning with her position as instructor at Brooklyn College in 1935. Ensuing years show her work divided between various federal agencies and academic institutions. She was chief of the Division of Financial with the Social Security Administration until 1949, and then economist for various federal departments, including Public Health Services in Washington, D.C. From 1952 to 1953 Mushkin served as research professor at Johns Hopkins University.
In 1960, she returned to the federal government to a position in the Office of Education. From 1961 to 1964 she served on the Advisory Committee on Inter-governmental Relations. As a professor at George Washington University from 1963 to 1968, she directed the state and local finances project.
From 1970 until the end of her life in 1979, Mushkin was professor of economics at Georgetown University. Other positions held while she was at Georgetown included director of the Public Service Laboratory; economist in the Office of Management and Budget, 1974-1975; and a fellow of the Woodrow Wilson Center for Scholars, 1978-1979. Throughout her career, Mushkin served as economic consultant for numerous agencies; was a prolific author in her field; and was accorded several honors. (Box 1 Folder 6 includes further biographical information.)
Selma J. Mushkin died on December 2, 1979.
[Sources: "Who's Who of American Women." 11th edition. 1979-1980; "Washington Post" 12/4/1979 - Obituary].
30.25 Linear Feet (61 boxes)
English
Part of the Georgetown University Manuscripts Repository