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The Theodore W. Schultz Collection documents the career and contributions of Nobel Prize-winning economist Theodore W. Schultz (1902–1998), known for his groundbreaking work on human capital and agricultural economics. Born in South Dakota, Schultz’s early experiences on a farm and the agricultural depression of the 1920s influenced his research. After earning degrees from South Dakota State University and the University of Wisconsin, he began his academic career at Iowa State University before joining the University of Chicago, where he played a key role in shaping modern economic theory. His pioneering work on education as an investment in human capital and the role of agriculture in economic development earned him the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1979.

The collection spans 1932 to 1992 and includes correspondence, research notes and an extensive selection of his published works, many of which bear his signature. Key publications explore foreign aid, economic development, agricultural productivity and investment in education. The Dale Hoover Collection on Schultz contains annotated drafts and conference papers, highlighting Schultz’s collaborative research process. The collection also includes materials from the Schultz Symposium (1980-1981), reflecting continued discussions on his economic theories. As a highly regarded economist and advisor to governments and organizations, Schultz’s work remains influential in shaping policies on education, economic growth and global development.