# Ralph Hartley

> American electronics researcher and information theorist (1888–1970)

**Wikidata**: [Q529886](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q529886)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ralph_Hartley)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/ralph-hartley

## Summary
Ralph Hartley was an American electronics researcher, information theorist, computer scientist, and inventor (1888–1970). He was known for his work at Bell Labs and was a recipient of the IEEE Medal of Honor.

## Biography
- Born: November 30, 1888, in Sprucemont
- Nationality: United States
- Education: Bachelor of Arts (1909) from University of Utah; Bachelor of Arts (1912) and Bachelor of Science (1913) from St John's College.
- Known for: Contributions as an electronics researcher, information theorist, computer scientist, and inventor.
- Employer(s): University of Nevada, Reno (1909–1910), Western Electric (1913–1925), Bell Labs (1925–1950)
- Field(s): Electrical engineering

## Contributions
Ralph Hartley's career spanned roles as an electronics researcher, information theorist, computer scientist, and inventor. He was employed by Western Electric from 1913 to 1925, and subsequently by Bell Labs from 1925 until 1950. His work primarily focused on electrical engineering within these organizations. His contributions were recognized with the IEEE Medal of Honor in 1946 and he was named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science. His professional papers, covering the period from 1920 to 1970, are preserved at the Niels Bohr Library & Archives.

## FAQs
### Q: Who was Ralph Hartley?
A: Ralph Hartley was an American electronics researcher, information theorist, computer scientist, and inventor. He lived from 1888 to 1970 and was known for his work at Bell Labs.

### Q: Where did Ralph Hartley work?
A: Ralph Hartley worked at the University of Nevada, Reno from 1909 to 1910, Western Electric from 1913 to 1925, and Bell Labs from 1925 to 1950.

### Q: What awards did Ralph Hartley receive?
A: Ralph Hartley received the Rhodes Scholarship in 1910, the IEEE Medal of Honor in 1946, and was a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

### Q: What was Ralph Hartley's primary field of work?
A: Ralph Hartley's primary field of work was electrical engineering. He was also active as an electronics researcher, information theorist, computer scientist, and inventor.

## Why They Matter
Ralph Hartley's significance stems from his extensive career as an electronics researcher, information theorist, computer scientist, and inventor from the late 19th to mid-20th century. His long tenure at Bell Labs, a leading research and scientific development company, positioned him at the forefront of advancements in electrical engineering. The recognition he received, including the Rhodes Scholarship in 1910, the IEEE Medal of Honor in 1946, and his fellowship in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, highlights the importance and impact of his professional contributions. His work helped lay groundwork in fields that would later see major developments, such as information theory, a field also pursued by key figures like Claude Shannon.

## Notable For
*   American electronics researcher and information theorist.
*   Long-serving employee at Bell Labs (1925–1950).
*   Recipient of the Rhodes Scholarship (1910) and the IEEE Medal of Honor (1946).
*   Recognized as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
*   His papers are archived at the Niels Bohr Library & Archives.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Ralph Hartley was born on November 30, 1888, in Sprucemont. He was a citizen of the United States.
He pursued his higher education at the University of Utah, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1909. He then attended St John's College, receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1912 and a Bachelor of Science degree in 1913. In 1910, he was awarded a Rhodes Scholarship.

### Career and Affiliations
Hartley began his professional career at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he was employed from 1909 to 1910. He later worked for Western Electric from 1913 to 1925.
From 1925 to 1950, Hartley was affiliated with Bell Labs, a prominent research and scientific development company. His primary field of work was electrical engineering. He held occupations as an electronics researcher, information theorist, computer scientist, and inventor.

### Recognition and Legacy
Ralph Hartley received the IEEE Medal of Honor in 1946. He was also recognized as a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.
His professional papers, spanning the years 1920 to 1970, are preserved at the Niels Bohr Library & Archives.
He passed away on May 1, 1970, in Summit, New Jersey.

## References

1. Twenty-third Annual Register of the University of Nevada
2. [Source](https://www.ieee.org/content/dam/ieee-org/ieee/web/org/about/awards/recipients/complete-past-and-present-recipient-list.pdf)
3. [Source](https://ethw.org/IEEE_Medal_of_Honor)
4. Rhodes Scholar Database
5. [Source](https://libserv.aip.org/ipac20/ipac.jsp?session=1680D73IU0570.32021&limitbox_1=LO01+%3D+icos&menu=search&aspect=power&npp=10&ipp=20&spp=20&profile=rev-icos&ri=12&source=%7E%21horizon&index=.GW&term=RALPH+V.+L.+HARTLEY+PAPERS%2C+1920-1970&x=14&y=6&aspect=power)
6. Gran Enciclopèdia Catalana
7. [Engineering and Technology History Wiki](http://ethw.org/Ralph_Hartley)
8. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013