Background
Sawyer, Ralph Alanson was born on January 5, 1895 in Atkinson, New Hampshire, United States. Son of George Alanson and Lillie Elvira (Noyes) Sawyer.
Sawyer, Ralph Alanson was born on January 5, 1895 in Atkinson, New Hampshire, United States. Son of George Alanson and Lillie Elvira (Noyes) Sawyer.
Preparatory education, Atkinson Academy, 1907-1911. Bachelor of Arts, Dartmouth, 1915, Doctor of Science, 1947. Doctor of Philosophy, University Chicago, 1919.
Honorary Doctor of Laws, Wayne University, 1954.
Doctor of Science, Michigan College Mining & Technology, 1959.
; children—George Alanson, II, Rosalind (Mistress George South. Springsteen, Junior). Married second, Frances Hay, 1964. Instructor field physics University of Michigan, 1919-1922, assistant professor, 1922-1927, associate professor, 1927-1930, professor physics, 1930-1964, vice president research, 1959-1964.
Dean Horace H. Rackham School Graduate Studies, 1946-1964.
Consultant Goddard Space Flight Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1964-1965. Acting director American Institute Physics, 1964-1966, consultant, 1965-1971.
J.S. Guggenheim Memorial fellow, Berlin, 1926-1927. Member National Research Council, 1949-1952, 59-71.
Member United States national committee International Commission Optics, 1954-1956.
Member science advisory board Naval Weapons Laboratory, 1953-1965. Chairman governor board American Institute Physics, 1959-1971. Chairman National Academy Sciences panels advisory to National Bureau Standards, 1965-1969.
Technical consultant to director Navy laboratories, 1965-1968.
Associate editor, Journal Optical Society American.
Member National Research Council, 1949-1952, 59-71. Member United States national committee International Commission Optics, 1954-1956. Member science advisory board Naval Weapons Laboratory, 1953-1965.
Served as ensign United States Naval Reserve Force, 1918-1919.
Member American Association for the Advancement of Science (vice president section B 1964), American Physical Society, Optical Society American (president 1955-1957), American Association Physics Teachers, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Xi, Gamma Alpha. Universalist.; Clubs: Rotary, Ann Arbor Golf and Outing.
Married Martha Green, April. Married second, Frances Hay, 1964. Children: George Alanson, II, Rosalind (Mistress George South. Springsteen, Junior.