Skip to main content

Coser, Lewis A., 1913-2003

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1913 - 2003

Biographical Note

Sociologist. Lewis A. Coser was born in Berlin, Germany, but left the country in 1933. He studied sociology at the Sorbonne in Paris. During World War II he was interned in the south of France due to his German nationality, despite his anti-Fascist views. In 1941, with the assistance of the International Relief Association, he was able to enter the United States as a refugee. Coser earned his doctorate from Columbia in 1954. He taught at Brandeis University and the State University of New York Stony Brook. After his retirement he was adjunct faculty at Boston College. Coser was the author of numerous works on sociology, including The Functions of Social Conflict, and he was a founding editor of the journal Dissent. He was active in several committees of the American Sociological Association and served a term as its president in 1975.

Found in 2 Collections and/or Records:

Lewis A. Coser papers

 Collection
Identifier: BC-1994-159
Abstract

Lewis A. Coser papers document the personal, political, and professional endeavors of this German-American sociologist primarily through correspondence, but course materials, documents, manuscripts, newspaper clippings, periodicals, photographs, and publishing files are also included.

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Dates: 1914 - 1996; Majority of material found within 1940 - 1996

Rose Laub Coser papers

 Collection
Identifier: BC-2000-032
Abstract

This collection documents Rose Laub Coser’s professional work and writing as a sociologist, her career at the State University of New York-Stony Brook and Boston College, and her mentorship of students. It contains correspondence, curriculum vitae, manuscript drafts, pamphlets, and photocopies.

Restrictions on access

Collection is open for research.

Dates: 1956-1991, undated