Ricketts, Palmer C. (Palmer Chamberlain), 1856-1934
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 3 Collections and/or Records:
Needham Waddell mechanics student notebook
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.
Palmer Chamberlain Ricketts professional records
Palmer Ricketts Student Notebooks
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.
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