AnnouncementsMemorial DayThe Special Collections Public Services Desk will be open by appointment only on Monday, May 27, 2013, in observance of Memorial Day. Please order materials by 5pm on Wednesday, May 22, 2013, to ensure delivery prior to the holiday. The Special Collections Public Services Desk will resume normal hours on Tuesday, May 28, at 8am. If you have any questions, please contact, via email, Gwynn Thayer or Eli Brown. MC 00069 Guide to the Ralph Clay Swann Papers, 1931 - 1968This collection is organized by subject.
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CreatorSwann, Ralph Clay, 1912-1967 Quantity0.5 Linear feet 1 archival box General Physical Description note1 archival box LocationFor current information on the location of these materials, please consult the
Special Collections Research Center Reference Staff LanguageEnglish Acquisitions InformationGift of Mrs. Ralph C. Swann, 1973 (Accession no. 1973-0007). ProcessingProcessed by: Michael Watts;machine-readable finding aid created by: Michael Watts Scope and Content NoteThis collection chiefly documents Ralph Clay Swann's work as Technical Director at the Redstone Arsenal Ordnance Missile Laboratories in Huntsville, Alabama, where he was responsible for the planning and execution of rocket propulsion research and solid propulsion development. Contained in the files are news clippings, photographs, certificates, citations, lectures and speeches given by Swann. Included are photographs of Dr. Swann at the detonation of the FIZEAU nuclear device at the Mercury, Nevada, test site in September 1957. A few items relate to Swann's education, to his work in private industry, or to his work at North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University). Biographical NoteBorn in West Virginia in 1912, Ralph Swann received a B.S. in chemistry from Morris Harvey College and a Ph.D. from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Dr. Swann was a research chemist and director of research in private industry from 1933 to 1951. He served as Deputy Chief, Assistant Director and Technical Director of the Ordnance Missile Laboratories, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama, 1953-1961. As Technical Director, he was responsible for the planning and execution of rocket propulsion research and solid propulsion development. Swann was nationally known for his role in the development of Cold War missile systems. He oversaw the origins of key components used in anti-ballistic weapons during the time he worked at Redstone Arsenal, making major contributions to the propulsion systems employed by Nike Zeus, Nike Hercules, Pershing, and Lacrosse service missiles. Swann maintained professional contact with scientific personnel in universities, government agencies and private industry throughout the nation. In January 1961, Ralph Clay Swann came to North Carolina State University as Head of the Chemistry Department. He was involved in the publication of hundreds of technical papers and was a formative presence in developing a national profile for North Carolina State University. Swann was an active community member participating in local Rotary Club functions. He also maintained involvement with the Minerva Masonic Lodge in his hometown of Barboursville. W.Va. He worked as head of the NCSU chemistry department until his death, in 1967 at the age of fifty-four . Dr. Swann was survived by his wife Winifred, two daughters, and a son. Controlled Terms
Access to CollectionThis collection is open for research. Access requires at least 24 hours advance notice. For more information contact us via mail, phone, fax, or our web form. Special Collections Research Center Telephone(919) 515-2273 Fax(919) 513-1787 Preferred CitationRalph Clay Swann Papers, MC 69, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC Access to CollectionThe nature of the NCSU Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NCSU Libraries claims only physical ownership of most Special Collections materials. The materials from our collections are made available for use in research, teaching, and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. |
