Hayes, Ralph, 1922-1999

Seattle teacher and historian of African American history.

Born in 1920 in Illinois, Hayes served in the Army in WWII, and in 1948 moved to Seattle. Hayes attended Northwestern University and the University of Washington, from which he received a B.A. and M.A. in political science and history. In 1955 he began teaching social studies in West Seattle High School and taught in several high schools in Seattle and Bellevue. He also taught at Bellevue Community College and at the University of Washington in 1970. Hayes researched the history of blacks in the state of Washington for many years. His state centennial publication, Northwest Black Pioneers, was published by the Bon Marche in 1988. It was based on a touring exhibit by the same name financed by the Bon Marche. Hayes completed typescripts on black pioneers, George Bush and George Washington, and on black miners. He died in Seattle in 1999.

From the guide to the Ralph C. Hayes papers, 1941-1999, (University of Washington Libraries Special Collections)