|
|
Biography/History
Paul A. and Elizabeth Brandeis Raushenbush were a husband and wife team of economists whose individual and joint careers exemplified the Wisconsin Idea. They are best known for their work with Harold Groves, 1930-1932, in developing and securing the passage of Wisconsin's unemployment compensation legislation, the first such legislation in the nation. During this period the couple was also involved with similar legislation in Massachusetts and in crafting the unemployment sections of the 1935 Social Security Act. In 1934 Paul Raushenbush became head of the Wisconsin Unemployment Compensation Division, serving in that capacity until his retirement in January 1967. As administrator, Raushenbush's work was characterized by his ongoing efforts to prevent the federalization of the unemployment compensation field.
Elizabeth Brandeis Raushenbush (often referred to as E.B.) had an important career as an economist in her own right, teaching at the University of Wisconsin for over forty years and carrying out research on many labor and social issues. She was also a prolific writer and public speaker, and she carried her ideas into the public arena through many years of leadership in the Wisconsin League of Women Voters.
After their retirements Paul and Elizabeth completed a lengthy oral history interview for Columbia University. In 1978 they published an expanded version of this interview entitled Our U.C. Story (1930-1967).
Elizabeth Brandeis Raushenbush
| 1896 |
Born in Boston, Massachusetts, the second daughter of Louis D. Brandeis and Alice Goldmark Brandeis
|
| 1918 |
B.A., Radcliffe College
|
| 1919-1923 |
Assistant secretary and secretary, D.C. Minimum Wage Board
|
| 1923-1928 |
Graduate student in Economics Department, University of Wisconsin
|
| 1924 |
Faculty member, Bryn Mawr Summer School for Women Workers
|
| 1924 |
Began 42-year career teaching part-time in the University of Wisconsin Economics Department
|
| 1925 |
Married Paul A. Raushenbush
|
| 1928 |
Completed Ph.D.
|
| 1928 |
Son Walter born
|
| 1945 |
Served as president of AFT Local 223
|
| 1966 |
Retired from University
|
| 1984 |
Died in Madison, April 30
|
| 1898 |
Born in Rochester, N.Y., the son of prominent Baptist minister Walter Rauschenbusch
|
| 1915 |
Graduated from East Rochester High School
|
| 1920 |
Graduated from Amherst College, Phi Beta Kappa
|
| 1922 |
Graduate student and teaching assistant in economics, University of Wisconsin
|
| 1927-1932 |
Assistant professor of economics and Experimental College
|
| 1931-1932 |
Assisted in drafting and passage of Wisconsin unemployment compensation law while on leave from UW
|
| 1932 |
Consultant to AFL and Massachusetts Industrial Commission
|
| 1932-1934 |
Consultant to Wisconsin Industrial Commission
|
| 1932-1942 |
Council member, American Association for Labor Legislation
|
| 1934 |
Appointed director of Unemployment Compensation Department
|
| 1935 |
Consultant to Social Security Board, drafted model state U.C. laws
|
| 1942-1943 |
President of Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies; also held various other offices and helped with establishment of ICESA
|
| 1963 |
Elected life member of Interstate Conference of Employment Security Agencies
|
| 1967 |
Retired from state service
|
| 1980 |
Died in Madison January 17
|
|
