In the summer of 1905, Professor C.W.A. Veditz of George Washington University initiated a discussion among sociologists throughout the U.S. He wrote to several dozen people to ask if there was need for or desire for forming an organization of sociologists. Dozens of letters were exchanged that summer and consensus was that the time had come for a society of sociologists in the U.S.
In early December, Veditz and eight others wrote to roughly 300 people inviting them to attend a special session during the American Economic Association and American Political Science Association meetings later that month to discuss the possible formation of a society of sociologists.
At 3:30 on Wednesday afternoon, December 27th, approximately 50 people (yes, there was one woman present!) gathered in McCoy Hall at Johns Hopkins University. Before the meeting was adjourned, the group acted to form a new society of sociologists. The group debated whether this new society should be federated with another existing organization, such as the American Economic Association, but ultimately decided the new society should be an independent entity. At the end of the day, those gathered formed a five-person committee to develop a plan for the new society and how it should be governed.
All concerned re-convened at 3:30 the next afternoon to review the proposed structure of the society. The following men were elected officers of the new society: Lester Ward (President), William Sumner (First Vice President), Franklin Giddings (Second Vice President), C.W.A. Veditz (Secretary and Treasurer). Council members were: E. A. Ross, W.F. Wilcox, Albion Small, Samuel Lindsay, D. C. Wells, and William Davenport.
When they left Baltimore, the birth of the American Sociological Society was complete, a Constitution had been adopted, officers were elected, and plans were made for the second Annual Meeting of the new Society.
The First 75 Years (1905-1980)
In 1981, in commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the founding of the Association, Lawrence J. Rhoades prepared a book entitled A History of the American Sociological Association, 1905-1980. This publication provides an overview of the founding and early years of the Association, as well as highlights of key activities and events in the intervening decades.
The Next 25 Years (1981-2004)
In 2005, in celebration of the Centennial of the founding of the Association, ASA published A History of the American Sociological Association, 1981-2004. This book was written by Katherine J. Rosich and describes major events in the life of ASA during this period of time.
- Introduction
- Acknowledgments
- Abbreviations
- Chapter 1 – The 1980s: Critical Challenges and New Resolve
- Chapter 2 – The 1991–2002 Period: Transformations and Innovations
- Chapter 3 – Moving Forward at Century’s End: ASA at 2002-2004
- Epilogue: The American Sociological Association at its Centenary
- Appendices
ASA Archives
Learn more about the ASA archives at Penn State University. To visit the archives, use this online form or write to:
Special Collections Library
The Pennsylvania State University
104 Paterno Library
University Park, PA 16802-1808
