Ray Earl Wakeley was born January 30, 1895 in Laceyville, Pennsylvania. He received a B.S. (1917) from Pennsylvania State College, an M.S. (1924) from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. (1928) from Cornell University. He was the first person to receive a doctorate in Rural Sociology from Cornell University.

Wakeley was a County Agent (1918-1926) for the Agricultural Extension Service in Pennsylvania. While he was at Cornell, he worked as a Graduate Assistant (1926-1928). After receiving his Ph.D., he accepted a position at Hillsdale College as Professor and Head of Sociology (1928-1930). Wakeley came to Iowa State College (University) as an Assistant Professor in Sociology (1930-1938), and was promoted to Associate Professor (1938-1944) and Professor (1944-1963). Wakeley also served as head of the Sociology Section of the Department of Economics and Sociology (1938-1963). In 1963, Wakeley left Iowa State to join the faculty at Southern Illinois University (1963-1973).

Wakeley's main areas of research included rural sociology, population, community organization, and leadership. He wrote numerous articles and reports, including Migration and Changes of Population in Iowa (1960),which he co-authored with Amy Russel.

Wakeley belonged to several professional organizations including the American Sociological Society, the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Midwest Sociological Society (President, 1948-1949), and the Iowa Welfare Association.

Ray Earl Wakeley passed away May 22, 1985.

The collection contains Wakeley's biographical information, writings, and research materials. The subjects in the papers include studies of farm occupation satisfaction, farm cooperatives, population migration, and family life. This research contains notes, survey materials, and correspondence.

Collection is arranged in alphabetical order.