Watkins, John Brownson

John Brownson Watkins was born June 20, 1899 in Kankakee, IL. He entered the University of Chicago in1916 but left to be a volunteer ambulance driver in France in 1917. When American troops arrived in Europe, Watkins joined the Army. Between 1917 and 1919, he wrote letters to his parents in Kankakee, IL, as well as to other family members. Some of the letters were excerpted for local papers, and were written with this in mind.

Upon returning to the States, Watkins completed his bachelor's degree in political economy in 1921. He went on to receive both a Master's degree (in 1924) and PhD (in 1929) from the University of Chicago's School of Commerce and Administration. His thesis dealt with transportation issues, and his expertise in this area provided cover in future military intelligence work.

After WWI, Watkins stayed in the reserves. He became active again in 1940, where he carried out various intelligence operations and participated in the de-Nazification of German rocket scientists in Belgium. He was re-activated during the Korean War and became one of the founders of the CIA's Strategic Intelligence Research unit. Watkins retired from the army in 1959 at the rank of Colonel.

In addition to his military career, Watkins worked for Illinois energy company Commonwealth Edison, conducted research at Northwestern University, and taught at Roosevelt University. He retired from teaching at age 70.

Watkins was married in 1923 to Mildred W. Miller; they had a son, John M. Watkins, and a daughter, Jean Watkins Thornburg. Watkins died on November 18, 1974.

From the guide to the Watkins, John Brownson. Papers, 1895-1919, (Special Collections Research Center University of Chicago Library 1100 East 57th Street Chicago, Illinois 60637 U.S.A.)