University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
In 1940, Evelyn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of California, Los Angeles, and then, in 1943, a Master of Arts degree in the same field from the same university.
1973
In 1973, Evelyn received the Superior Civilian Service Award from the United States Navy.
1973
In 1973, Evelyn received the Superior Civilian Service Award from the United States Navy.
University of California, Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA 90095, United States
In 1940, Evelyn received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of California, Los Angeles, and then, in 1943, a Master of Arts degree in the same field from the same university.
https://www.amazon.com/Culture-Richard-Bowerman-Kniffen-Russell/dp/B00JCVCP8I
1961
Evelyn Lord Pruitt was born on April 25, 1918, in San Francisco, California, United States. She was the daughter of Ethel (Lord) Pruitt and Conrad Douglas Pruitt. Evelyn's maternal great-grandfather, William A. Lord, captained ships, that went all around the world.
The life of Evelyn's family was hard, as the family lived in an unfinished house - a house with plumbing fixtures, but without wallboard.
Initially interested in Meteorology and Geology, Evelyn later decided, that these fields were not welcoming to women, so she immersed herself in the study of Geography. In 1940, she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of California, Los Angeles, and then, in 1943, a Master of Arts degree in the same field from the same university. Later, Pruitt studied Geography at McGill University in Montreal. While there, Evelyn also attended a course on the Arctic.
In 1984, when Evelyn was sixty-eight, Louisiana State University conferred upon her an honorary degree for her contribution to "research in coastal environments" and for "helping Louisiana State University gain national and international prominence in Geography".
In 1942, while still a student, Evelyn was taken by the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey's (present-day the United States National Geodetic Survey) Aeronautical Chart Branch, in Washington, D.C., on board as a cartographic editor for wartime employment. In 1948, Evelyn moved to the Office of Naval Research.
Holding the key post in the newly emerging Office of Naval Research, Pruitt made it possible to strengthen the work of her old and new friends and colleagues, that allowed them to expand their laboratories and research programs. Evelyn also encouraged and funded research on "coastal Louisiana, land ownership in Kansas, Antarctic coasts", among other issues. At the same time, she contributed to the development of cultural geography, which, however, fell into disfavor. In 1959, Pruitt became head of the Navy's Geography Branch.
Pruitt's active engagement with other researchers sometimes led to surprising developments. The invention of the triangulated irregular network, for example, arouse out of a lunch she had with T. K. Peucker in early 1972. Peucker was looking for a way of integrating the triangulation of regular and irregular surfaces, which would later become an essential part of a Geographic Information System. Evelyn understood the complexity of the issues, expressed interest in having this innovative research funded and made it possible for Peucker to conduct that research.
During her career, Evelyn also held the post of director of the Coastal Geography Programs of the Office of Naval Research. It was in 1973, that she retired from the organization. In her retirement, Pruitt was a consultant to the United States Army Corps of Engineers and a member of the Army Shoreline Erosion Panel.
Moreover, besides being a geographer, Evelyn edited an academic journal, titled The Professional Geographer, from 1957 till 1959. Pruitt also authored several articles for professional journals. Her first book, "Naval Arctic Operators Handbook", was published in 1948. Evelyn also co-authored, together with Louisiana State University professors Fred Kniffen and Richard Russell, the major textbook on Geography - "Culture Worlds", published in 1961.
It's worth noting, that, Evelyn also served at the Association of American Geographers as a councilor and chair of both the Publications Committee and the Marine Geography Committee. It was in 1961, that she joined the national executive council of the Society of Woman Geographers. Besides, in 1975, Pruitt chaired the first conference of the Coastal Society, that took place in Arlington, Virginia.
Evelyn Lord Pruitt was a notable geographer, who served for twenty-five years in the United States Department of the Navy before retiring in 1973. She coined the term "remote sensing" and helped to establish the Coastal Studies Institute at Louisiana State University. Pruitt's work greatly advanced the study of coastal environments and the use of remote sensing in geographical studies from the 1940's into the 1970's.
During her lifetime, Evelyn received a number of awards. In 1972, Evelyn received the Citation for Meritorious Contributions to Geography from the American Association of Geographers. In 1973, Evelyn was the highest-ranking woman scientist in the United States Navy, the naval warfare service branch, which awarded her with its Superior Civilian Service Award the same year. In 1981, Pruitt attained the Outstanding Achievement Award from the Society of Woman Geographers. Later, in 1984, Pruitt was the recipient of the James R. Anderson Medal of Honor in Applied Geography.
In addition, Pruitt was honored with the title of Regents Professor at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Evelyn had a good sense of humor. She was also known to be a frugal person.
Physical Characteristics: Evelyn suffered from pneumonia.
