Mervin Field: The Architect of California Public Opinion
Mervin Field was a pioneering American pollster who dedicated his career to measuring the pulse of the public, specifically within the state of California. Through the establishment of the Field Research Corporation and the widely respected Field Poll, he provided a nonpartisan lens through which policymakers, scholars, and the general public could understand shifting societal attitudes.
Key Facts
- Founder: Established the Field Research Corporation (FRC).
- Legacy: Created the Field Poll, an independent news service focusing on California.
- Early Influence: Mentored by polling pioneer Dr. George Gallup.
- Academic Contribution: Deposited survey data with University of California and California State University campuses since 1956.
- Lifespan: March 11, 1921 – June 8, 2015.
Early Life and Education
Born on March 11, 1921, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Mervin Field was the youngest of five children born to Jewish emigrants from Russia. He spent his formative years in Princeton, New Jersey, where he graduated from Princeton High School in 1938.
Field's formal higher education was brief and varied, consisting of a few months of study at the University of Missouri, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, and Rutgers University night school. Despite the limited formal schooling, his intellectual curiosity led him toward the burgeoning field of survey research—the process of collecting data from a sample of individuals to make inferences about a larger population.
His entry into the world of polling began with a chance encounter during his junior year of high school with Dr. George Gallup, the legendary pioneer of modern polling. Inspired by this meeting, Field conducted his first survey to determine student preferences for his senior class president.
Professional Career and the Field Research Corporation
Before the outbreak of World War II, Field honed his skills by working for the Gallup Poll and the Opinion Research Corporation (ORC) in Princeton, New Jersey. These experiences provided the foundation for him to launch his own venture: the Field Research Corporation (FRC).
The FRC operated as a commercial practice specializing in consumer and opinion research. The firm grew in scope, conducting surveys on local, regional, and national levels, establishing Field as a significant figure in the industry.
The Field Poll: A Nonpartisan Legacy
Perhaps his most enduring contribution was the Field Poll, an independent, nonpartisan public opinion news service. While the FRC handled commercial work, the Field Poll focused specifically on the state of California, serving as a critical gauge of public sentiment.
To maintain strict objectivity, the Field Poll refused financial support from political candidates or special interest groups. Instead, it relied on funding from television stations, newspapers, non-profit foundations, and the University of California and California State University systems.
By the end of 2009, the service had published more than 2,300 reports. The Field Poll eventually ceased operations at the end of 2016.
Academic and Scientific Impact
Beginning in 1956, Field ensured that his survey data was not merely used for news cycles but served as a permanent scientific record. He deposited his data with the University of California and California State University campuses.
This archive has become a vital resource for researchers in sociology, journalism, political science, and survey research methodology, allowing scholars to track long-term trends in public opinion.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Occupation | Pollster / Opinion Researcher |
| Key Organizations | Field Research Corporation, Field Poll |
| Geographic Focus | California (Primary), National (Commercial) |
| Funding Model | Non-political (Academic, Media, Foundations) |
| Data Legacy | Archived at UC and CSU campuses since 1956 |
Personal Life and Passing
Mervin Field married Virginia Fallon in 1949, though the couple later divorced. In 1957, he married Marilyn Hammer, who remained his spouse until her death in 2006. Field passed away of natural causes on June 8, 2015, in Mill Valley, California, at the age of 94.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Mervin Field?
Mervin Field was a prominent American pollster and the founder of the Field Research Corporation and the Field Poll, known for his extensive work measuring public opinion in California.
What made the Field Poll unique?
The Field Poll was strictly nonpartisan and independent. It avoided funding from political candidates or interest groups, relying instead on academic institutions, media outlets, and non-profit foundations.
How did Mervin Field get started in polling?
He was inspired by a chance meeting with Dr. George Gallup during his junior year of high school, which led him to conduct his first survey regarding his school's class president.
What happened to the Field Poll data?
Since 1956, the data has been deposited with the University of California and California State University campuses, creating a rich archive for sociology, political science, and journalism scholars.
When did the Field Poll shut down?
The Field Poll ceased its operations at the end of 2016.