In Memoriam: Ralph Greenlaw

In Memoriam

Dr. Ralph Greenlaw, former head of the Department of History, died July 20 in his home at age 92.

Greenlaw took on administrative responsibilities when the Department of History became a separate unit in 1965. He was remembered as an officer, gentlemen and scholar. As an officer under Gen. George S. Patton, he saw action across Europe during World War II.

The Princeton graduate’s research field was the French Revolution. For many years, he taught Western Civilization I and II to 300 students per semester in Nelson Auditorium, while directing the department, which doubled its faculty before he retired. Colleagues said he brought kindness, vision and gravitas to the department.