Ernest H. Runyon papers, 1884-1999

Runyon (1903-1994) was born in Boone, Iowa to William H. and Grace Hocking Runyon. In 1930, Runyon married Laliah Curry. Runyon had two daughters: Miriam Smith and Phylis Dolph. Runyon was an organist and sang in various university and church choirs. He also was a photographer, being a member of the Utah Stereo-Photography Society. Runyon received a bachelor's degree in 1925, as well as a Ph.D. in 1934 from the University of Chicago. He taught botany and plant physiology at Washington University from 1926 to 1928. Later, he became a research microbiologist, specializing in tuberculosis-related bacteria. From 1962 to 1968, Runyon was the chairman for the Taxonomy Committee, Subcommittee on Mycobacterium. For three years he was a microbiologist researching in South Africa for the Medical Research Council. Runyon served as a member of various scientific societies, among which are: The Utah Thoracic Society; The Veteran's Administration, Pulmonary Disease Research Conference Laboratory Committee, and the American Academy of Microbiology.