Hugh Latimer Dryden

Hugh Latimer Dryden ( born July 2, 1898 in Pocomoke City, Maryland, † December 2, 1965 ) was an American scientist and science administrator.

Dryden studied physics at Johns Hopkins University. The topic of his dissertation from 1916 was "Airplanes. An Introduction to the Physical Principles Embodied in Their Use"

In 1918, Dryden became the staff of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, where he was head of department in 1920. He worked mainly in the field of aerodynamics. During the Second World War he was involved in the development of the fighter North American P- 51 and the missile SWOD MK 9 "Bat".

In 1946, Dryden became the Director of the Authority National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics ( NACA ), from NASA in 1958. There he worked as Deputy Administrator on 19 August 1958 until his death on 2 December 1965.

In the years 1941 to 1956 Dryden was part-time editor of the Journal of the Institute of the Aeronautical Sciences.

After Hugh Dryden an impact crater has been named on the moon with a diameter of about 51 km, and the NASA Flight Research Center renamed on 26 March 1976 in his honor at Dryden Flight Research Center.

He received the Medal for Merit, formerly the highest civilian award of the USA.