American Economist, Educator & Humanitarian
Alvin Saunders Johnson (1874 - 1971) was an internationally recognized economist as well as a notable educator, humanitarian, author, and social activist from Homer, Nebraska.
He graduated from the University of Nebraska in 1897 and served in the U.S. Military during the Spanish-American War. After being honorably discharged, he attended Columbia University and received a doctorate in economics.
Johnson later taught at several universities, including the University of Nebraska.
In 1919 he co-founded the New School for Social Research in New York City--the model for American adult education--which he led for 22 years.
During the 1930s, he also raised money to bring more than 180 Jewish scholars and their families to the U.S., delivering them to safety from the Nazis.
Johnson was inducted into the Nebraska Hall of Fame in 2014.
Sources:
"Kerry to help honor New School founder - Alvin Saunders Johnson is the newest inductee into the Nebraska Hall of Fame" / Omaha World-Herald / May 27, 2014
"World-Herald Editorial: A notable legacy" / Omaha World-Herald / May 30, 2014
