Skip to content

Biography · Biography & Culture

James R. Dumpson

1909–2012

United States

Source image for James R. DumpsonLoading image…
Visit the source record ↗

Biography

James Russelle Dumpson (April 5, 1909 – November 5, 2012) was commissioner of the New York City Department of Welfare from 1959 to 1965. At the time of his appointment he was the only African American welfare commissioner in the United States and also the first social worker to hold the position in New York City.

Sources & collection details

Wikipedia contributors — original record ↗

Black heritage reference ↗

Biography text · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source checked 2026-10-13

Continue exploring Series 1

Explore all Series 1 cards →