Robert C. (Robert Clarkson) Brooks

Born in Piqua, Ohio, in 1874, Robert C. Brooks was an American political scientist and teacher whose career was closely tied to Swarthmore College. He studied at Indiana University, earned his Ph.D. at Cornell University in 1903, and also held early teaching posts connected with Halle, Berlin, and Cornell before returning to Swarthmore.

Brooks taught economics and later political science at Swarthmore, where he became Joseph Wharton Professor of Political Science. He also served as president of the American Political Science Association in 1939–1940, a sign of the respect he had earned in his field.

As a writer, he is especially associated with books such as Corruption in American Politics and Life and Political Parties and Electoral Problems. His work focused on public institutions, party politics, and the habits that strengthen or weaken democratic government. He died on February 2, 1941.