Harold E. Cox

For other possible meanings see Harold Cox (disambiguation)
Harold Eugene Cox
Born1931 (1931)
Lynchburg, Va.
DiedSeptember 8, 2021(2021-09-08) (aged 89–90)
Exeter, Pennsylvania
Occupation(s)Educator, historian
SpouseRobert Reite
ChildrenMichael
Parent(s)James Alfred Cox and Margaret Ethel Trent

Harold Eugene Cox (1931 – 2021) was Professor of History Emeritus and University Archivist at Wilkes University, Pennsylvania[1] serving over 52 years.[2] as department chair of the University Department of History.[3] In 2015, the university renamed one its buildings as Dr. Harold Cox Hall.[4] Cox specialized in the history of 19th and 20th century urban transportation and historical transportation maps.[3] In 1976, he was an editor for the Pennsylvania Historical Association's journal, "Pennsylvania History".[5]

In 1996, Cox inquired about 19th century election statistics for Pennsylvania, only to find that the data would cost $1,000 to produce.[6] He then organized and created the Wilkes University Election Statistics Project as a free online resource documenting Pennsylvania political election results dating back to 1796.[7] The project has been cataloged by the Pennsylvania State University Libraries[8] and the Van Pelt Library at the University of Pennsylvania.[9] It has been cited as a source in academic books about the Supreme Court of the United States,[10] Communist politicians in Pennsylvania,[11] and a survey of state-level political parties.[12]

Cox served in the United States Army from 1954 to 1984, retiring as a command sergeant major.[2]

Cox died in 2021 and was eulogized as a "true renaissance man" with passions and interests ranging from politics to creative writing, trolleys, and LGBTQ rights.[2] He was interred at Spring Hill Cemetery, Lynchburg, Va.[2]

  1. ^ Anon. "Harold E. Cox transportation collection, Collection". Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Historical Society of Pennsylvania. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  2. ^ a b c d Cox, Harold E (September 16, 2021). "A true Renaissance man, passions ranged from politics and creative writing to trolleys and LGBTQ rights". Times Leader media group. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  3. ^ a b Anon. "Harold E. Cox". MacMillan publishers. Retrieved 25 June 2022.
  4. ^ Anon. (June 24, 2015). "Wilkes University building named after professor emeritus Harold Cox". Times Leader media group. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  5. ^ Anon. "Pennsylvania History: A Journal of Mid-Atlantic Studies". Pennsylvania Historical Association-Officers since 1933. Retrieved 26 June 2022.
  6. ^ "Pennsylvania Election Statistics". staffweb.wilkes.edu. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
  7. ^ Jones, Mark E. (July 26, 2004). "Free election history database a feast for party animals". Times Leader. Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania: The Wilkes-Barre Publishing Company. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16.
  8. ^ "Pennsylvania Statistics & Data". Penn State Research Guides - Politics & Elections. Pennsylvania State University Libraries. 2009-02-24.
  9. ^ "U.S.Elections: Historical and Contemporary - Research Guide". Penn Research Guides - Election Statistics. Van Pelt Library at University of Pennsylvania. 2008-04-23.
  10. ^ Marcus, Maeva; James R. Perry (2007). "Irvine v. Sims's Lessee". The Documentary History of the Supreme Court of the United States, 1789-1800: Cases, 1798-1800 (8th ed.). Columbia University Press. p. 176. ISBN 978-0-231-13976-2.
  11. ^ Howard, Walter T. (January 28, 2005). Forgotten Radicals: Communists in the Pennsylvania Anthracite, 1919-1950. Lanham, Maryland: University Press of America. p. 282. ISBN 978-0-7618-3090-0.
  12. ^ Dubin, Michael J. (July 18, 2007). Party Affiliations in the State Legislatures: A Year by Year Summary, 1796-2006. McFarland & Company. p. 223. ISBN 978-0-7864-2914-1.