Background
Sproull, Robert Lamb was born on August 16, 1918 in Lacon, Illinois, United States. Son of John Steele and Chloe Velma (Lamb) Sproull.
academic administrator director physicist
Sproull, Robert Lamb was born on August 16, 1918 in Lacon, Illinois, United States. Son of John Steele and Chloe Velma (Lamb) Sproull.
AB, Cornell University, 1940. Doctor of Philosophy, Cornell University, 1943. Doctor of Laws (honorary), Nazareth College, 1983.
DMusic (honorary), New England Conservatory, 1997.
Research physicist Radio Corporation of America laboratories, 1943-1946. Faculty Cornell University, 1946-1963, 65-68, professor physics, 1956-1963, director laboratory atomic and solid state physics, 1959-1960, director materials science center, 1960-1963, vice president for academy affairs, 1965-1968. Director Advanced Research Projects Agency, Department Defense, Washington, 1963-1965.
Vice president, provost University Rochester, New York, 1968-1970, president, 1970-1984, president emeritus, since 1984. Principal physicist Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 1952. Physicist European Research Associate, Brussels, 1958-1959.
Lecturer North Atlantic Treaty Organization, 1958-1959. President Environmental Literacy Council, 1997-1999, chairman since 1999. Past board directors, John Wiley & Sons, Charles River Laboratories, United Technols.
Corporation, Xerox Corporation, Bausch & Lomb. Member science advisory committee General Motors Corporation, 1971-1980, chairman, 1973-1980. Member Defense Science Board, 1966-1970, chairman, 1968-1970.
Member Naval Research Advisory Committee, 1974-1976, Sloan Commission Higher Education, 1977-1979, New York Regents Commission Higher Education, 1992-1993.
Trustee Deep Springs College, 1967—1975, 1983—1987, Cornell University, 1972—1977. Fellow American Academy Arts and Sciences. Member Telluride Association (president 1945-1947), Institute of Defense Analysis (trustee 1984-1992).
Married Mary Louise Knickerbocker, June 27, 1942. Children: Robert F., Nancy M. Sproull Highbarger.
