Burchard, Edward L. (1867-1944)

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Edward L. Burchard to Jane Addams, January 16, 1907

Edward L. Burchard to Jane Addams, December 10, 1910

Hull-House 1889-1909, 1909

Jane Addams to Anita McCormick Blaine, February 25, 1911

Sophonisba P. Breckinridge to Jane Addams, March 13, 1911

Jane Addams to Sophonisba P. Breckinridge, September 5, 1912

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Birth Date

1867-09-05

Death Date

1944-11-29

Birthplace

Freeport, Illinois

Biographical Text

Edward L. Burchard studied at Beloit College and then moved to Chicago in 1891 to gather materials for the World's Columbian Exposition. He was the first male resident of Hull-House. He then worked as a librarian and worked for the Library of Congress for three years. Burchard then returned to Chicago and served as Secretary of the School of Civics and Philanthropy, later serving as the Director of its Extension Department. He then became a leading figure in the recreation movement in Chicago's public schools, being involved in the creation of the first playground in Chicago at Hull-House and the creation of a community center at Harrison Technical High School. In 1916 he served as secretary of the Chicago Community Center Conference, and in 1917 he helped organize the National Conference on Community Centers in Chicago. During World War I, he was an assistant for the United States Food Administration and an aid to the Council on National Defense on Community Centers. Afterward, he served as secretary of the National Community Center Association. In 1924, Burchard was the chairman of a 1924 survey that looked at the past and current community centers in Chicago. From 1935 to 1940, Burchard served as Executive Secretary of the Chicago Recreation Commission. He was also a member of the City Club of Chicago.

Burchard married Alice Parton in 1893. They had a daughter named Marion. Burchard died in 1944.