Switzer, George

George Switzer
natal chart (Placidus)
natal chart English style (Equal houses)
natal chart with Whole Sign houses

Name	Switzer, George Gender: M
Birthname	George Shirley Switzer
born on	11 June 1915 at 05:00 (= 05:00 AM )
Place	Petaluma, California, 38n14, 122w38
Timezone	PST h8w (is standard time)
Data source	BC/BR in hand Rodden Rating AA Collector: Scholfield
Astrology data	19°31' 05°53 Asc. 21°37'

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George Switzer (The Hope Diamond, which Switzer helped to acquire for the Smithsonian from Harry Winston in 1958)
photo: David Bjorgen, license gfdl

Biography

American mineralogist credited with starting the Smithsonian Institution's famed National Gem and Mineral Collection by acquiring the Hope Diamond for the museum in 1958. Switzer made the arrangements when renowned New York City jeweler Harry Winston decided to donate the Hope Diamond to the Smithsonian.

Switzer was also known for his analysis of moon rocks which were brought back by NASA missions to the Moon. He authored a textbook on gemology in 1979.

Switzer retired from the Smithsonian in 1975 as the curator emeritus. He used his retirement to pursue his hobby, azalea propagation. His hobby became a serious occupation when he served as the director of the Azalea Society of America and became assistant editor of the Azalean publication. He was credited with describing and naming a new variety of azalea cultivar, Nannie Angell, in 1992.

George Switzer died from pneumonia in Solomons, Maryland at the age of 93 on 23 March 2008.

Link to Wikipedia biography

Events

• Work : Great Achievement 1942 (PhD in mineralogy, Harvard)

• Death by Disease 23 March 2008 (Pneumonia, age 93)
  chart Placidus Equal_H.

Source Notes

Sy Scholfield provided birth certificate.

Categories

• Traits : Mind : Education extensive (PhD in mineralogy)

• Diagnoses : Major Diseases : Pneumonia

• Personal : Death : Long life more than 80 yrs (Age 93)

• Vocation : Education : Teacher (University professor)

• Vocation : Science : Geology (Mineralogist)

• Vocation : Writers : Textbook/ Non-fiction (Gemology)