[6] From 1888 to 1889 he studied history at the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, Maryland, and was promoted in 1889 with a PhD thesis (The Beginnings of American Nationality) at the same time continuing to teach at Colby College.

In 1894 he, along with George E. Vincent, published the first textbook in sociology: An introduction to the study of society.

From 1905 to 1925 he served as Dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Literature at the University of Chicago.

Albion Woodbury Small was a member of the Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity (Xi chapter).

[9] Then, in 1894, along with colleague George E. Vincent, he wrote the first sociology textbook titled An Introduction to the Study of Society.