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Guthmann, Harry G. (Harry George), 1896-1981

 Person

Biography

Finance professor Harry George Guthmann was born in East Syracuse, New York on December 16, 1896, the son of Martin and Margaret D. (Storer) Guthmann. Guthmann obtained his BA from Syracuse University in 1917, his MBA from New York University in 1921, and his PhD from the University of Chicago in 1929. His dissertation was entitled “The Relation of the Maturity Factor to Yield Differences among Investment Securities.” In 1920 he became a Certified Public Accountant.

Although during his life Guthmann worked as a bank clerk, junior public accountant, income tax deputy, financial consultant, and an officer in a real estate corporation, his main career was teaching. From 1917 to 1921 Guthmann served as an instructor in economics and accounting at Syracuse University. He was promoted to assistant professor of finance in 1921. From 1922 to 1925 he was an associate professor in finance at the University of Texas. During 1925 - 1926 he was a research assistant at the University of Chicago.

Northwestern University appointed Guthmann as an assistant professor of finance in 1927. In 1930 he was promoted to associate professor and in 1935 became a full professor. In 1949 he was named the Charles E. and Emma H. Morrison Professor of Finance. Upon his retirement in 1965, Guthmann was made professor emeritus.

Throughout his academic career, Guthmann was an energetic writer and a sought-after consultant. Three of his books went through several editions. Analysis of Financial Statements , first published in 1925, appeared in its fourth edition in 1953. Investment Principles and Practices , with Ralph Badger and H.W. Torgerson, was issued in six editions, and Corporate Financial Policy , with Herbert Dougall, which appeared in four editions, sold over 250,000 copies.

Guthmann served as a consultant primarily on tax and valuation matters. He testified before congressional committees several times.

Active in several associations, Guthmann served as president of the American Finance Association (1945-1946), and as a trustee and member of the Executive Committee of the Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association (1947-1951).

In 1930 Guthmann married Bernice Jones Montgomery. He died in Evanston on March 15, 1981, survived by his wife, two step-daughters, and six grandchildren.

Found in 1 Collection or Record:

Harry G. Guthmann (1896 - 1981) Papers

 Collection
Identifier: 12/1/7
Abstract Harry George Guthmann was a finance professor. His PhD. dissertation was entitled "The Relation of the Maturity Factor to Yield Differences among Investment Securities." In 1920 he became a Certified Public Accountant. Although during his life Guthmann worked as a bank clerk, junior public accountant, income tax deputy, financial consultant, and an officer in a real estate corporation, his main career was teaching. Northwestern University hired Guthmann as in 1927. In 1949 he was named the...
Dates: 1909-1981