This 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. 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).
Born 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 Director, he was responsible for the planning and execution of rocket propulsion research and solid propulsion development. In January 1961, Dr. Swann came to North Carolina State College of Agriculture and Engineering (later North Carolina State University) as Head of the Chemistry Department. He worked in that capacity until his death in 1967.
Born 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, West Virginia. He worked as head of the NC State University chemistry department until his death, in 1967 at the age of fifty-four. Swann was survived by his wife Winifred, two daughters, and a son.
This 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).
This collection is organized by subject.
The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University 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.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
[Identification of item], Ralph Clay Swann Papers, MC 00069, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
Gift of Mrs. Ralph C. Swann, 1973 (Accession no. 1973-0007).
Processed by Michael Watts, 2006 May
Encoded by Michael Watts, 2006 May
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Some materials may not have been digitized or made available online.
Access to physical material and digital files not available online may be provided for use in the SCRC Reading Room after staff review.
Some materials may not have been digitized or made available online.
This collection is open for research; access requires at least 48 hours advance notice. Because of the nature of certain archival formats, including digital and audio-visual materials, access to digital files may require additional advanced notice.
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[Identification of item], Ralph Clay Swann Papers, MC 00069, Special Collections Research Center, North Carolina State University Libraries, Raleigh, NC
The nature of the NC State University Libraries' Special Collections means that copyright or other information about restrictions may be difficult or even impossible to determine despite reasonable efforts. The NC State University 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.
This collection may contain materials with sensitive or confidential information that is protected under federal or state right to privacy laws and regulations. Researchers are advised that the disclosure of certain information pertaining to identifiable living individuals represented in this collection without the consent of those individuals may have legal ramifications (e.g., a cause of action under common law for invasion of privacy may arise if facts concerning an individual's private life are published that would be deemed highly offensive to a reasonable person) for which North Carolina State University assumes no responsibility.
