ABSTRACT
The audiences for sociologist Edward A. Ross's speeches ranged from fellow sociologists or other academics at conferences to civic groups and women's organizations. Since the 1890s, Ross had participated in traditional academic discourse through journals and books. The "public platform" fascinated Ross, but he had to appeal to a broad audience and instill in them a desire to learn. One of the earliest dated speeches in the Ross Papers is a revealing primer on Ross's marketing schemes for his public speeches. His 1921-1922 offerings included the "startling" truth about post-revolutionary Russia and a speech on "the social question", which was more appropriate "for thoughtful groups". As a public speaker, Ross projected an approachable personality within a rigorous academic discipline. Ross's speeches to the general public were fused personality with social discourse. After fifty years in academia, Ross opined that in 1941 sociology was "50-60" of what it will be in 2000 A.D.
