Gerard, R. W. (Ralph Waldo), 1900-1974

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Ralph Waldo Gerard was a neurophysiologist, behavioral scientist, and academic known for his wide-ranging work on the nervous system, nerve metabolism, psychopharmacology, and biological bases of schizophrenia. He was born in 1900 and studied chemistry and physiology in Chicago. He was a professor at the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan. From 1963 to 1970 he served as Professor of Biological Sciences and Dean of the Graduate Division at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Gerard died in 1974.

From the description of Ralph Waldo Gerard papers, 1915-1979. (University of California, Irvine). WorldCat record id: 28145699

Neurophysiologist, founder of University of Michigan Mental Health Research Institute, also faculty member at University of Chicago, University of Illinois, and University of California, Irvine.

From the description of R. W. Gerard papers, 1922-1974. (University of Michigan). WorldCat record id: 81002460

Biography/Administrative History

Ralph Waldo Gerard was a neurophysiologist, behavioral scientist, and academic known for his wide-ranging work on the nervous system, nerve metabolism, psychopharmacology, and biological bases of schizophrenia. He was born in 1900 and studied chemistry and physiology in Chicago. He was a professor at the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois, and the University of Michigan. From 1963 to 1970 he served as Professor of Biological Sciences and Dean of the Graduate Division at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Gerard died in 1974.

From the guide to the Guide to the Ralph Waldo Gerard Papers, 1915-1979, (Special Collections)

Ralph Waldo Gerard, neurophysiologist, behavioral scientist and educator, was born in Harvey, Illinois on October 7, 1900. Gerard graduated from high school in 1915, from the University of Chicago with a B.S. degree in chemistry in 1919 and was awarded a Ph.D. in physiology by the University of Chicago in 1921. Gerard began his teaching career as head of the departments of physiology, biochemistry, and pharmacology at the University of South Dakota, 1921-1922. He headed the department of physiology at Hahnemann Medical College in Philadelphia, 1922-1924, and received his M.D. degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1924. After working with A.V. Hill at University College, London in 1925-1926 and with Otto Meyerhof at the Kaiser Wilhelm Institute in Berlin in 1926-1927, Gerard returned to the United States and joined the faculty of the University of Chicago. By 1942 he had risen to the position of professor of physiology and neurophysiology, a position he held until 1952.

During World War II Gerard directed special military research at the University of Chicago and in 1945 was the civilian in charge of the physiological aspects of chemical warfare experiments at Edgewood Arsenal, New Jersey. From 1952 to 1955 Gerard was professor of neurophysiology and director of laboratories at the Neuropsychiatric Institute of the College of Medicine, University of Illinois. Gerard helped to found the Mental Health Research Institute at the University of Michigan where he became a professor of neurophysiology in the departments of physiology and psychiatry in 1955. In 1963, during a sabbatical from the University of Michigan, Gerard was visiting professor at the University of California, Irvine. He joined the fledgling university in 1964 serving as professor of biological sciences and director of special studies. He was appointed dean of the graduate division in September 1964 and served in that position until his retirement in 1970. In 1955 Gerard was elected to both the American Academy of Arts and Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences. Ralph Waldo Gerard died February 17, 1974.

References: Gerard, Ralph W(aldo), in Current Biography, May 1965, 21-23.

From the guide to the Ralph Waldo Gerard papers, 1922-1974, (Bentley Historical Library, University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
referencedIn Forbes, Alexander, 1882-1965. Papers, 1827, 1835, 1848-1978 (inclusive), 1910-1946 (bulk) Harvard University, Medical School, Countway Library
referencedIn News and Information Services (University of Michigan) photograph series D (faculty and staff portraits), 1946-2006, 1950-1990 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Fulton, John F. (John Farquhar), 1899-1960. John Farquhar Fulton papers, 1892-1988 (inclusive), 1920-1960 (bulk). Yale University Library
referencedIn John Farquhar Fulton papers, 1892-1988, 1920-1960 Yale University. Department of Manuscripts and Archives
creatorOf Gerard, R. W. (Ralph Waldo), 1900-1974. Ralph Waldo Gerard papers, 1915-1979. University of California, Irvine. Library. Department of Special Collections
creatorOf Ranson, Stephen Walter, 1880-1942. Ranson-Windle-Krieg-Arey collection of reprints in neuroscience, 1849-1980. University of California, Los Angeles
creatorOf Marsh, Frank Lewis, 1899-1992. [Papers], 1921-1979. Andrews University, James White Library Information Gateway
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
creatorOf Guide to the Ralph Waldo Gerard Papers, 1915-1979 Special Collections
creatorOf Gerard, R. W. (Ralph Waldo), 1900-1974. R. W. Gerard papers, 1922-1974. Bentley Historical Library
creatorOf Ralph Waldo Gerard papers, 1922-1974 Bentley Historical Library
referencedIn Papers, 1827, 1835, 1848-1978 (inclusive), 1910-1946 (bulk) Francis A. Countway Library of Medicine
creatorOf Dartmouth Convocation on the Great Issues of Conscience in Modern Medicine (1960 : Dartmouth College). Records, 1960. New Hampshire Newspaper Project
referencedIn Mental Health Research Institute (University of Michigan) records, 1955-1995 Bentley Historical Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Electronic data processing
Electronic data processing
Mental health
Neurochemistry
Neurology
Neurophysiologists
Neurophysiology
Neurosciences
Psychopharmacology
Schizophrenia
World War, 1939-1945
Occupation
Neurophysiologists
Activity

Person

Birth 1900-10-07

Death 1974-02-17

English

Information

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