Sanger, Ruth Ann (1918 - 2001)

Summary

Ruth Sanger began her career as a haematologist at the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in Sydney. After World War II she moved to England where she embarked on a successful career that lead to her being appointed director of the British Medical Research Council in 1973.

Details

After completing her school studies, Ruth Sanger enrolled in Science at Sydney University. She graduated with a science degree in 1938 and joined Sydney's Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service two years later. Her initial role was working in the plasma drying plant, but then moved to the blood-grouping laboratory. This sparked her interest in haematology, especially in the rhesus blood group system. To further her research, Sanger moved to London (after World War II) and began working at the Medical Research Council's Blood Group Unit. There she worked with Dr Robert Race who was later to become her husband.

While at the Blood Group Unit Sanger studied blood genetics and undertook a PhD in the field. She completed it in 1948 and two years later was co-author with Race of Blood Groups in Man. The book was prominent for 30 years with six editions published. It was recognised as the 'Bible' for blood groupers. Ruth Sanger was instrumental in many haematological discoveries, including the Xg blood grouping system. This system is one of the few whose genes are sex-linked i.e. linked to X chromosomes. Sanger was appointed Director of the Medical Research Council in 1973 and held this position until she retired in 1983. Finally in 1972 Ruth Sanger was recognised for her contribution to science and made a Fellow of the British Royal Society.

Chronology

1938

Education - Bachelor of Science (BSc), University of Sydney

1940 - c. 1946

Career position - Haematologist at the Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in Sydney

c. 1946 - c. 1972

Career position - Haematologist at the British Medical Research Council's blood group unit, UK

1948

Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), London University

1950

Career position - Blood Groups in Man released

1972

Career position - Fellow, The Royal Society, London (FRS)

1973

Award - Oliver Memorial Award for Blood Transfusion, British Red Cross

1973 - 1983

Career position - Director of the British Medical Research Council

Published resources

Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Exhibitions

• McCarthy, Gavan; Morgan, Helen; Smith, Ailie; van den Bosch, Alan, Where are the Women in Australian Science?, Exhibition of the Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, First published 2003 with lists updated regulary edn, Australian Science and Technology Heritage Centre, Melbourne, Victoria, 2003, https://eoas.info/exhibitions/wisa/wisa.html. Details

Newspaper Articles

• Smith, Bridie, 'Obituary: Dr Ruth Sanger, Blood research pioneer, author', The Age (2001). Details

Resources

• Wikidata, http://www.wikidata.org/entity/Q7383204. Details
• VIAF - Virtual International Authority File, OCLC, https://viaf.org/viaf/34518059. Details
• 'Sanger, Ruth Anne (1918-2001)', Trove, National Library of Australia, 2009, https://nla.gov.au/nla.party-756058. Details