Merriam, Charles E(dward), Jr (1874-1953)

US political scientist. While teaching at the University of Chicago from 1900 until his final months, he effectively established political science as a discipline at that university and he had a national reputation as the founder of the behavioural school of political science. He was also involved in Chicago's reform politics; he drafted legislation, served as alderman (1909-17), and ran unsuccessfully for mayor in 1911. A strong proponent of social science research and planning, he was the founder and president of the Social Science Research Council (1924-27) and led the National Resources Planning Board (1933-43). His many publications include New Aspects of Politics (1925). Merriam was born in Hopkinton, Iowa.