John Bell Rae (1911 – 1988) was a historian and professor whose lifelong fascination with industry and technology, and its impact on human development, shaped his career. Besides teaching at both the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvey Mudd College, Rae authored seminal texts on the history of industry and performed research for engineering projects and committees such as the NASA Historical Advisory Committee, Harvard University’s Research Center for Entrepreneurial History, and had his research into the American automotive industry sponsored by the Motor Vehicle Manufacturers Association. He was also a founder and past president of the Society for the History of Technology. In 1980, he was the recipient of its highest award, the Leonardo da Vinci Medal.

Rae was born in Glasgow, Scotland and emigrated with his family to the United States when he was twelve years old. He earned his B.A. in history from Brown University and briefly studied at Yale before returning to Brown for graduate study on the history of economics. He received his M.A. and Ph.D. degrees under the supervision of James B. Hedges, and wrote a highly regarded dissertation on railroad land grants. Beginning his teaching career at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Rae would leave the institution in 1959 in order to become a full time faculty member at the newly founded Harvey Mudd College. There, he taught classes on the history of technology and industry. He strongly believed that engineers should also have a liberal arts education, and served as chairman of the Liberal Studies Division of the American Society for Engineering Education in both 1962-63 and 1968-69.

Retiring in 1976, John Bell Rae continued to teach at Claremont Graduate School, research, and write. He remained active until his unexpected passing in 1988. Rae is remembered for his prolific career, dedication, and passion for his work.

Sources

Flink, James J. "John Bell Rae (1911-1988)." Technology and Culture 30, no. 3 (1989): 718-22. http://www.jstor.org/stable/3106002.