Robert Digges Wimberly Connor

For other people named Robert Connor, see Robert Connor (disambiguation).

Robert Digges Wimberly Connor (September 26, 1878 – February 25, 1950) was an American historian who served as the first state archivist of North Carolina from 1907 to 1921, and later as the first Archivist of the United States from 1934 to 1941.

Robert Digges Wimberly Connor
R. D. W. Connor, first Archivist of the United States
1st Archivist of the United States
In office October 10, 1934 – September 15, 1941
President	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Preceded by	Position established
Succeeded by	Solon J. Buck
Personal details
Born	(1878-09-26)September 26, 1878 Wilson, North Carolina, United States
Died	February 25, 1950(1950-02-25) (aged 71)

Life and career

Site of Connor's birthplace, now a funeral home

Connor was born to Henry G. Connor and Kate Whitfield Connor on September 26, 1878, in Wilson, North Carolina. He graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1899. He married Sadie Hanes of Mocksville, North Carolina on December 23, 1902.^[1]

In his role as the inaugural secretary of the North Carolina Historical Commission, Connor lobbied the North Carolina General Assembly for a building and funding for what became the State Archives of North Carolina.^[2] He served as the first state archivist of North Carolina from 1907 to 1921.^[3]

Connor left the North Carolina Historical Commission to become the Kenan Professor of History and Government at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.^[4] He held that position until 1934, when President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed him to head the National Archives.

Connor served as the third president of the Society of American Archivists between 1941 and 1943.^[5]

He died on February 25, 1950.