Issued by
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, American, founded 1824
Received by
Parsons, James A. Jr., American, 1900 - 1989
Signed by
Ricketts, Palmer C., American, 1856 - 1934
Date
June 16, 1922
Medium
ink on paper on cardboard
Dimensions
H x W: 17 11/16 × 13 13/16 in. (44.9 × 35.1 cm)
Caption
James A. Parsons Jr. was the second African American to receive a degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute since its founding in 1824. Garnet Douglass Baltimore was first, earning his degree in 1881, 41 years before Parsons.
James A. Parsons Jr. was the second African American to receive a degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute since its founding in 1824. Garnet Douglass Baltimore was first, earning his degree in 1881, 41 years before Parsons.
James A. Parsons Jr. was a scientist, inventor, and university professor, whose research with rust resistant metals and iron alloys is credited with leading to the development of stainless steel. He developed Durimet 20, a corrosion-resistant stainless steel alloy also known as Alloy 20, which is still widely used today in a diverse range of industries including petrochemical, textile, nuclear, aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical, textile and chemical and food processing.
Born in 1900, Parsons grew up in Dayton, OH, where his father worked as a butler for Pierce Schenk, the founder of metal manufacturer Duriron Co. Schenk covered Parsons’ tuition at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in exchange for Parsons’ work over summer breaks. Parsons graduated from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) in 1922 with a degree in Electrical Engineering and returned to working at Duriron Co., where he eventually established what was likely the first all-Black industrial research laboratory. Over the course of his career, Parsons received eight patents, won the Harmon Medal in 1928 for his scientific achievements, and had a distinguished teaching career at Tennessee Agriculture and Industrial State College (now Tennessee State University) and Ohio State University.
Description
A diploma from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute awarded to James Albert Parsons on June 16, 1922. The diploma is printed in black text on off-white paper and has a large header reading [Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute / Founded / In The Year Eighteen Hundred Twenty Four / in the City of Troy and the State of New York] in multiple fonts and decorative flourishes. The names have been completed by hand in black ink and the diploma states "said James Albert Parsons has been admitted to the degree of Electrical Engineer." There is a red seal near the bottom right corner and the signatures of the institute's president and secretary at the bottom.
Place depicted
Troy, Rensselaer County, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
diplomas
Topic
Education
Engineering
Science
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Grant Shipp
Object number
2015.246.1
Restrictions & Rights
Public domain
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd586c3a643-2ca1-4a2c-bfee-0fdd62a9544e

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

Share this page