Lewis Wade Jones facts for kids

Lewis Wade Jones (born March 13, 1910 – died September 1979) was an important sociologist and teacher. He spent his life studying people and communities, especially in the American South. His work helped us understand more about different groups of people and how they lived.

Early Life and Education

Lewis Wade Jones was born in Cuero, Texas. His parents were Wade E. and Lucynthia McDade Jones. He was a bright student.

He went to Fisk University and earned his first degree in 1931. After that, he continued his studies at the University of Chicago from 1931 to 1932. He was a special fellow there, focusing on social science research.

Work at Fisk University

After his studies in Chicago, Jones returned to Fisk University. He worked closely with another important sociologist, Charles S. Johnson. From 1932 to 1942, Jones was a research assistant and a teacher. He helped supervise studies in the field.

Later, in 1949, Jones and Johnson wrote two books together. These books were about population changes in the Southern United States. They were called A Statistical Analysis of Southern Counties and Shifts in the Negro Population of Alabama.

Advanced Studies and Research

Lewis Jones also studied at Columbia University. He received a special scholarship from the Julius Rosenwald Foundation. In 1939, he earned his master's degree. His master's paper was about jobs held by African Americans in rural areas. He continued his studies and earned his highest degree, a PhD, in 1955.

One of his most important projects was with the Library of Congress and Fisk University. This project was called the Mississippi Delta Collection. It took place in 1941 and 1942. Jones, along with Charles S. Johnson and John Wesley Work III, helped record folk songs and stories. They documented the culture of African Americans in the Mississippi Delta region. They focused on Coahoma County, Mississippi, especially around Clarksdale.

Later Career and Contributions

After his recording project, Lewis Jones served in the United States Army for three years. He then worked as an analyst for the Office of War Information. In 1952, he became an associate editor for the Negro Yearbook. He also wrote articles for different journals.

Jones spent most of his career at Tuskegee Institute. He was an assistant professor of sociology. He also directed research for the Rural Life Council. He helped many organizations as a consultant. These included the Opportunities Industrialization Centers and the U.S. Department of Labor.

On August 13, 1966, Lewis Jones married Queen E. Shootes. She was an expert in home economics.

At the time of his death in September 1979, Lewis Jones was a professor of sociology. He also directed the Tuskegee Institute Rural Development Center. His work helped us understand more about rural communities and social changes.