Bridgman, Ralph Parkhurst

Ralph Parkhurst Bridgman graduated from Roxbury Latin School (magna cum laude) in 1914. In 1921 he received his B.A. degree from Harvard (cum laude) and was inducted into the Phi-Beta-Kappa Fraternity. In 1924 he received his B.D. degree from Union Theological Seminary (magna cum laude) and his M.A. degree from Columbia Teachers College. Dr. Bridgman fulfilled all requirements for his D. Ed. in 1939 with the exception of his project, which he completed in the spring of 1948. He held many important teaching positions before joining the Hampton Institute family including teaching English in government schools and serving as substitute Young Men's Christian Association secretary in Osaka, Japan. In 1925 he married Charlotte Frances Bradley of New York City. They had three children, Helen Romaine Bridgman, Phoebe Parkhurst Bridgman, and Elizabeth Shafto Bridgman. He was a member of the Congregational Church and held memberships in several educational, religious, and social welfare organizations. He authored many articles and books on educational topics. Dr. Bridgman is listed in Who's Who In America, Who's Who in American Education, and the Directory of Leaders In Education.

The papers of Ralph P. Bridgman consist of material dealing with administrative affairs of the Institute. Dr. Bridgman was elected President of Hampton Institute in 1944 and resigned in 1948.