Lawrance, Charles L. (Charles Lanier), 1882-

Charles Lanier Lawrance was the inventor of the air-cooled radial engine that powered Charles Lindberg's airplane he piloted in 1927 across the Atlantic Ocean. Lawrance was born in 1882 and graduated from Yale University in 1905. He served in the Navy during World War I. He became president of Wright Aeronautical Corporation in 1924, and in 1929, when Wright merged with Curtiss Aviation to become the Curtiss-Wright Corporation, he became the vice-president. In addition to Lindbergh, the engine Lawrance developed was used by Richard E. Byrd, Amelia Earhart, and many other aviators. Lawrance retired in 1948 and died at his home in Islie, New York in 1950.

From the description of Charles L. Lawrance papers, 1909-1950. (University of Wyoming, American Heritage Center). WorldCat record id: 52605662

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