Sac History Happenings: In History's Spotlight: Earl Desmond

Sac History Happenings

News and developments in Sacramento and California history

September 11, 2011

In History's Spotlight: Earl Desmond

Born: Aug. 26, 1895
Died: May 26, 1958

Known for: A Sacramento native and California state senator, Earl Desmond pushed through legislation to authorize Sacramento State College in 1947.

Background: The son of a police officer, Desmond attended Christian Brothers and Sacramento high schools. In his first year at Santa Clara University, he left to enlist in World War I. He earned his degree in 1932 from McGeorge School of Law. Two years later, he was elected to the state Assembly from Sacramento, and in 1944 was elected a state senator. His SB 1221 authorizing "a four-year institution of higher education" was passed and signed by Gov. Earl Warren in July 1947. The college originally shared quarters with Sacramento Junior College -- now Sacramento City College. A permanent site was chosen on the banks of the American River at 6000 J St., where classes started in February 1953.

A highlight: In 1991, the senator's children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren gathered for the dedication of a new CSUS residence hall named in his honor.

In History's Spotlight profiles of Sacramento newsmakers were published originally in 2007 to commemorate the 150th anniversary of The Sacramento Bee. They were written by Anthony Sorci. Look for them every Sunday in Sac History Happenings.

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California and Sacramento have a long, rich, vibrant history. And our region is blessed with an abundance of historical resources maintained by museums, libraries, archives and societies. This blog aims to alert readers to the latest developments in local/state historical education and research.

Send tips concerning upcoming exhibits, tours, lectures and meetings, as well as new books, magazine articles and online collections to the blog's contributors.

The Contributors:

Michael Dolgushkin

Michael Dolgushkin is Manuscript Librarian at the California State Library History Section. He is co-author of San Francisco's California Street Cable Cars and is a frequent contributor to the California State Library Foundation Bulletin. Contact him at mdolgushkin@library.ca.gov.

Amanda Graham is a Certified Archivist working in the Sacramento Room of the Sacramento Public Library. She earned a BS in History from Southern Oregon University and a MS in Information Studies with an emphasis in archives from The University of Texas at Austin. Contact her at agraham@saclibrary.org.

Pete Basofin is Director of Editorial Research at The Sacramento Bee. He previously worked at The St. Petersburg Times and Columbia (Mo.) Daily Tribune. Contact him at pbasofin@sacbee.com.

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