Himes, Joseph S. (Joseph Sandy), 1908-1991

Dates

• Existence: 1908-1991

Biographical Statement

One of the leading figures in Sociology during segregation, Himes achieved recongition as a respected sociologist, researcher and author. Himes initiated several studies covering teenaged pregnancy, social change, racial conflict and blindness. Himes was the brother of noted author Chester Himes.

Joseph S. Himes Jr. was born on April 4, 1908, in Jefferson City, Missouri, he was the second of three boys born to Dr. Joseph Himes Sr. and Estelle Bomar Himes. Himes' father was a college professor at several universities including Lincoln University, Alcorn College and Branch Normal College and taught black history, blacksmithing, and wheelwrighting. Himes' mother also was a teacher, as well as a member of the faculty of Georgia State College and Scotia Seminary, where she taught English composition and music.

Himes' parents seperated during his childhood and Estelle Himes accepted a job offer to teach school in South Carolina, taking her sons Joseph, Jr. and Chester with her; however less than a month later Estelle relocated again, to Augusta, Georgia, where she accepted a teaching position at Haines Normal and Industrial School. At the end of the school year the family reunited. Himes's father took a position at the Branch Normal School in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, while his mother taught in the local school system.

In 1923, an accident during a chemistry demonstration left Himes blind. Himes and his brother, Chester were scheduled to partake in the demonstration together; however, Chester was forbidden to take part so Himes performed the experiment alone. During the experiment gunpowder exploded in Himes' face causing him to go blind. Due to his injury, the family settled in Saint Louis, Missouri, where he could receive adequate medical treatment at Barnes Hospital. Two years later the family moved once again, this time to Cleveland, Ohio where eventually, Joseph and Estelle, would divorce. The Himes family often relocated to seek treatment for Joseph's blindness.

In 1925, Himes enrolled at East High School in Cleveland, Ohio and graduated with honors, he received a scholarship offer to attend Oberlin College where he received his Bachelor and Master is of Arts degrees in Sociology and Economics in 1931 and 1932.

After teaching a year at Samuel Huston College in Austin, Texas, Himes returned to Ohio State and finished his PH. D. in Sociology and Economics in 1936. While attending Ohio State University, Himes served as a editorial writer for the Ohio State News and also served as a research director of the Urban League. As research director, Himes conducted several studies including a survey of black unemployment in Columbus, which became his first published work. Himes also did post doctoral work at the University of California from 1954-1955.

Himes met Estelle Jones at Ohio State University and the couple was married on December 22, 1941. Estelle Jones Himes taught foreign languages at the University of North Carolina Central and Himes became a professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina Central University in Durham in 1946. He served North Carolina Cental until 1969 and then accepted a position as a Excellence Fund Professor of Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In 1977, he became a Professor Emeritus at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He also served as Fulbright professor at Helsinki University in Finland and the University of Madras in India.

Himes wrote numerous articles and books including Racial Conflict in American Society, Racial and Ethnic Relations, The Study of Sociology, Conflict and Conflict Mangement, Racial Conflict in America and Social Planning in America. Dr. Joseph Himes died in 1992.

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