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Ricketts, Palmer C. (Palmer Chamberlain), 1856-1934

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1856-1934
  • Existence: 1856 - 1934

Biographical Note

Palmer C. Ricketts was born in Elkton, MD., on January 17, 1856. He entered Rensselaer in 1871 to study civil engineering. Shortly after graduating in 1875 he was appointed as an assistant in math and astronomy. In 1882, he was promoted to assistant professor and in 1884 he was named the William H. Hart Professor of Rational and Technical Mechanics. This was the first endowed faculty chair at Rensselaer. Ricketts was appointed Director of the Institute in 1892. In 1901 the director position was expanded to encompass all administrative duties and Ricketts was appointed as the first administrative president. Ricketts married Vjera Renshaw in 1902. P.C. Ricketts died while in office on December 9, 1934. A laboratory completed in 1935 was named the Ricketts Building in his honor.

Chronology:
President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
1901-1934
Chronology:
Director
1892-1934

Found in 6 Collections and/or Records:

Needham Waddell mechanics student notebook

 Item
Identifier: 1991-11
Content Description

This item is a student notebook from 1907, containing mechanical mathematical equations from the course "Notes on Mechanics," taught by Professor Palmer Ricketts. The notebook was kept by Needham Waddell, RPI Class of 1908.

Dates: 1907

Palmer Chamberlain Ricketts professional records

 Collection
Identifier: AC 3
Scope and Contents The Palmer C. Ricketts Papers span the years 1881 to 1955, with the bulk of the material falling into the periods of Rickett’s tenure as President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, from 1892 to 1934. The papers have been organized into four series consisting of Administrative Papers, which contains chiefly correspondence, but also includes reports, statistics, and account books; Professional Papers, which consist of...
Dates: Created: 1871-1955

Palmer Ricketts Student Notebooks

 Collection
Identifier: MC 31
Scope and Contents

The Palmer C. Ricketts' Student notebooks (MC 31) contain a small amount of material documenting Ricketts' education and early teaching experiences at RPI, 1874-1878.  Composed of five notebooks, tthese include two student volumes of drawing exercises, and three professorial notebooks containing notes and problems in mathematics and mechanics.  The last professional notebook also includes problems regarding bridge construction.

Dates: Other: Date acquired: 00/00/1988

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 1930

 Monograph
Identifier: Publication 8
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

The Engineering and Science Series includes sixtyseven monographs written primarily by Rensselaer faculty members and graduate students. Topics include scientific studies, engineering research, and historical essays about Rensselaer and individuals affiliated with the Institute.

Dates: 1930

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute: Amos Eaton, Author, Teacher, Investigator; The First Laboratories for the Systematic Individual Work of Students in Chemistry, Physics and Botany, to be Created in any Country, Established at Rensselaer School by Amos Eaton in 1824 ; B. Franklin Greene and the Reorganization in 1849-50, 1933

 Monograph
Identifier: Publication 8
Scope and Contents From the Sub-Series:

The Engineering and Science Series includes sixtyseven monographs written primarily by Rensselaer faculty members and graduate students. Topics include scientific studies, engineering research, and historical essays about Rensselaer and individuals affiliated with the Institute.

Dates: 1933

The Engineer and the Intellectual Life, 1929

 Monograph
Identifier: Publication 8
Abstract

Reprinted from the magazine section of the "New York Herald-Tribune" of Sept. 8, 1929; includes additional notes.

Dates: 1929

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 3
Collection 3
 
Subject
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute -- History 2
Botany -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Troy 1
Business records 1
Chemistry -- Study and teaching -- New York (State) -- Troy 1
College students 1