Theodore “Ted” Dreier was the son of a prominent family of idealists committed to the arts, social action, women’s rights, and poverty programs. Ted studied electrical engineering at Harvard University from 1920-1925 then worked at General Electric until 1930. A friend, John Malcolm Forbes, brought Dreier to Rollins College where he taught until 1933. Along with the group of staff that left Rollins with John Andrew Rice, he then joined the founding faculty of Black Mountain College in the summer of 1933.

Dreier was very involved in all administrative efforts of the College, including acting as Treasurer, sitting on many committees for outreach and community life, and teaching physics and mathematics. He worked tirelessly to keep the College well-funded by corresponding with donors, critics, media outlets, and with potential faculty and students. “Dreier’s importance to the college was rooted in his allegiance to Rice and Albers, in his willingness to use his contacts and those of his family to raise money for the college, in his role as mediator and peacemaker, and in his enthusiasm, infectious idealism, and optimism.” (Art of Black Mountain College, Mary Emma Harris, 14)

After leaving Black Mountain, he returned to work at General Electric and assisted in a project that developed a power source for the first nuclear submarine.

Relationships

Wife: Barbara Dreier

Child: Freddie Dreier

Child: BMC student, Theodore Dreier, Jr.

Child: Edward Dreier

Child: Mark Dreier

Black Mountain College Project

Mary Emma Harris interviewed Ted and Barbara in 1974 and the transcript is available from Appalachian State University under The Mary Emma Harris and Black Mountain College Project, Inc. Oral History collection.

Topics: Barbara Loines Dreier family background – BLD study at Bryn Mawr – Josef Albers classes – dynamic nature of community – BLD engagement to TD – BLD in Rollins College community – TD family background and Dreier aunts – Katherine Dreier – Raymond Robbins – Ethel Dreier and New York City Club – friendship with J. Malcolm and Ethel Forbes – work for General Electric Company – Buckminster Fuller – psychoanalysis and early Christian faith – TD meeting BLD at Lake George – TD teaching at Rollins College – founding of BMC – John Andrew Rice – college underwriting