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O'Dea, Thomas F. (1915-1974)

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1915 - 1974

Biography

Thomas F. O'Dea (1915-1974) was an American sociologist, author, and teacher.

Thomas F. O'Dea was born December 1, 1915, in Amesbury, Massachusetts to father Patrick J. O'Dea and mother Mary Quinn. Historically, his life bridged the period from World War I to the Vietnam War. During his youth he attended Saint Joseph's Parochial School in Amesbury and Amesbury High School, after which he studied printing at the Wentworth Institute in Boston. After serving in the United States Army Air Force during World War II, he entered Harvard University and graduated summa cum laude in 1949. He continued at Harvard, earning an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology, in 1951 and 1953 respectively. In 1966 he authored the book "The Sociology of Religion." He was a member of the faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1951-1956), The University of Utah (1959-1964), and Columbia University (1964-1966). He completed his teaching career at the University of California, Santa Barbara as a professor of religious studies and sociology. He married his wife Gertrude Stillman on June 5, 1936 in New York City. He died on November 12, 1974, in Santa Barbara, California.

Citation:
His The Mormons, 1957.

His Chonggyo sahoehak, 1989: t.p. (Tʻomasŭ F. Odea) t.p. verso (Thomas F. OʼDea)

Encyclopedia of religion and society, via WWW, April 10, 2006 (1915-1974, Sociologist of religion; Ph. D., Harvard University)

calisphere, University of California, website viewed 25 June 2013 (Thomas F. O'Dea; religious studies; sociology; Santa Barbara; died November 12, 1974; joined the UCSB faculty January 1, 1957 as professor of sociology and religious studies; faculty at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1951-56), Fordham University (1956-59), University of Utah (1959-64), and Columbia University (1964-66); born in Amesbury, Massachusetts Dec 1, 1915)

678 information transferred to 670 field, 21 August 2013(associate prof.; b. 1915)

Familysearch, Via WWW, January 3, 2023 (Roy Elmo Gibson; b. Dec. 28 1911; d. Jun. 17, 1978; newspaper man; Regularly speaking newspaper column; employed at cache valley herald; Nephi times job; mother Alice Almira North; Father Jacob Gibson; Wife Emma Zoe Powell; Had two children)

Online Archive of California, Via WWW, January 3, 2023 (Thomas O'Dea; b. Dec. 1, 1915 in Amesbury, Mass.; d. Nov. 12, 1974; sociologist; religious studies: Santa Barbara; faculty member at University of California, Santa Barbara beginning in 1967; previously faculty member at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (1951-56), Fordham University (1956-59), the University of Utah (1959-64), and Columbia University (1964-66); worked in various trades, labor organizer, active in politics; during World War II, served in U.S. Army (in the infantry and the air corps) in North Africa, Australia, the Mariannas, India, and China; attended Harvard, graduating summa cum laude in 1949; M.A., 1951; Ph.D., 1953; participated in the Laboratory of Social Relations project on "The Comparative Study of Values in Five Cultures" in northern New Mexico, focused his attention on Mormon community of Ramah; researched Mormonism, authoring The Sociology of Mormonism (1955), and The Mormons (1957))

Found in 12 Collections and/or Records:

Thomas F. O'Dea papers

 Collection
Identifier: MSS 1417
Abstract

The Thomas O'Dea papers span the full breadth of his professional career. There are a few newspaper clippings and other papers concerning his activities as a young communist leader in 1940 but the substantial portion of the collection begins in the late 1940's with O'Dea's education at Harvard. The papers end in 1972.

Dates: 1929-1974

Thomas F. O'Dea photographs

 Collection — Folder 1: [Barcode: 31197239265603]
Identifier: MSS P 225
Scope and Contents

Photographs of Thomas O'Dea, the Joseph Smith monument in Sharon, Vermont, the Kirtland Temple, the Joseph Smith fireplace, and the King Saud of Saudi Arabia. Dated approximately 1930-1979.

Dates: approximately 1930-1979

Thomas O'Dea biographical materials, 1938-1971

 Series — Box 1: Series 1; Series 2 [Barcode: 31197225505632], Folder: 1-3
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 1
Scope and Contents

Contains clippings about O'Dea, resumes and lists of publications, articles, and speeches about O'Dea.

Dates: 1938-1971

Thomas O'Dea conference and lecture activities, 1952-1972

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 6
Scope and Contents

Contains paper drafts, programs, correspondence, and other materials related to professional conferences in the fields of sociology and religion. Materials date from between 1952 and 1972.

Dates: 1952-1972

Thomas O'Dea correspondence, approximately 1960-1974

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 2
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence by O'Dea, primarily related to his academic work and professional service. Materials date from between approximately 1960 and 1974.

Dates: approximately 1960-1974

Thomas O'Dea journals, correspondence, and other personal papers, 1960-1973

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 10
Scope and Contents

Contains journals (chronological) and biographical sketches, legal papers (including divorce and custody papers), and photographs.

Dates: 1960-1973

Thomas O'Dea miscellaneous papers, 1949-1971

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 9
Scope and Contents

Contains collected bibliographies (by subject), book catalogs and publicity (by publisher or dealer), news clippings (by subject), and "sundry items" (notes, check stubs and financial papers, photos, etc.).

Dates: 1949-1971

Thomas O'Dea research materials, 1929-1971

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 3
Scope and Contents

Contains notes, memorandums, interviews, and other research materials gathered or compiled by O'Dea. Includes research on Ramah, New Mexico and Saudi Arabia. Materials date from between 1929 and 1971.

Dates: 1929-1971

Thomas O'Dea sound tapes, 1968-1971

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 7
Scope and Contents

Contains audio recordings of professional lectures and music, collected by O'Dea.

Dates: 1968-1971

Thomas O'Dea university work materials, 1951-1974

 Series — Multiple Containers
Identifier: MSS 1417 Series 5
Scope and Contents

Contains correspondence, memorandums, student records, and course materials produced by O'Dea on sociology and religion. Materials date from between 1951 and 1974.

Dates: 1951-1974

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 10
Collection 2
 
Subject
Anthropology 11
Communism -- United States -- History -- 20th century 11
Clippings (Books, newspapers, etc.) 4
Letters 4
Diaries 3