Gladys Hansen

Gladys Cox Hansen (June 12, 1925 – March 5, 2017) was an American librarian, archivist and author. She was an expert on the history of San Francisco and the 1906 San Francisco earthquake.

Early life and education Hansen was born in 1925 in Berkeley, California. She moved to San Francisco as a child, and lived there for the rest of her life. In 1989, Hansen co-authored the book Denial of Disaster, claiming that the number of casualties from the earthquake was dramatically and deliberately understated.

In 1991, Hansen founded the Museum of the City of San Francisco. She also created a virtual museum website.

In 1997, Hansen received the Ron Ross Founder's Award from the San Francisco History Association.

Personal life Hansen married William Hansen, who was an Air Corps pilot in World War II. They had a son, Richard.

Death Hansen died of natural causes in San Francisco on March 5, 2017, at the age of 91.

Selected publications