James R. Dumpson

Who was James R. Dumpson?

Dr. James Russelle Dumpson was Commissioner of the New York City Department of Welfare from 1959—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.

When he first came to New York City, Dr. Dumpson was a caseworker at the Children's Aid Society. From 1953—1954 he was a United Nations Advisor/ Chief of Training in Social Welfare to the Pakistani Government.

He joined the Department of Welfare in 1955 as Director of the Bureau of Child Welfare; in 1958 he was First Deputy Commissioner until Mayor Robert F. Wagner appointed him Commissioner in 1959. In 1967 Dr. Dumpson was Dean of the Graduate School of Social Service at Fordham University.

During his administration at the Department of Welfare, Dr. Dumpson continued to serve on many committees, advisory boards and other related activities. He served on President John F. Kennedy’s Advisory Commission on Narcotic and Drug Abuse; he was named Chairman by the U.S. Department of State of the U.S.