Paul Klapper Papers

Paul Klapper was born in Jassy, Romania on July 17th, 1885. In 1892 he and his parents Louis and Rachel Klapper immigrated to the United States. Klapper enrolled in the City College of New York in 1899 at the age of fourteen as a sub-freshman. He graduated in 1904 with an Artium Baccalaureus (A.B.) degree - what is now called a Bachelor of Science degree. He taught in the New York City public schools and continued his education at New York University, where he received a Master of Arts in 1907. Later that year, he returned to City College as both tutor and instructor in the Department of Education, positions he held until 1914. In conjunction with teaching at City College, he continued his graduate studies at NYU, receiving a Ph. D. in 1909.

In 1917, Klapper became head of the Department of Education at City College. In addition to his departmental duties, Klapper also served as Director of the Summer Session, a post he held until 1922. By the year 1919, Klapper was named Acting Dean, and in January of 1922 he was appointed Dean of City College. He served in this role until 1937, when he moved on to Queens College.

Queens College, the fifth municipal four-year college in the CUNY system, opened its doors in 1937 with Klapper serving as the new college’s first president. He personally selected the four hundred students who enrolled that first year, as well as the college’s first faculty members. Upon being appointed, Klapper was given a testimonial dinner at the Hotel Astor on October 30th, 1937. In attendance at this prestigious event were distinguished public figures such as Mayor Fiorello H. LaGuardia, Governor Herbert H. Lehman, the editor of The New York Times John H. Finley, and President of City College Frederick B. Robinson. Klapper served as president of Queens College for the next eleven years until his retirement in 1948.

Over the course of his career, Klapper received various honorary degrees from such institutions as Yeshiva University, Columbia University, and Queens College. He served as a member on the board of trustees for The State University of New York, Brandeis University, and The New York State Commission Against Discrimination. He was also affiliated with The National Education Association, The Association of School Administrators, and The American Association of University Professors. Klapper was a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

After his retirement, Klapper served as Acting Dean of Teacher Education for the five municipal colleges. He served as visiting professor at the University of Chicago from 1949-1951. He died on March 25th, 1952, at the age of sixty-six.