Ralph Gray, ’33

Editor, writer and photographer for National Geographic

Ralph Gray, 85, an editor, explorer and author who served 40 years on the staff of National Geographic, died of cancer April 4 at Transylvania Community Hospital in Brevard, N.C.

Mr. Gray joined the staff of National Geographic in 1943, and he retired in 1985. He was editor of World Magazine and wrote several articles in National Geographic magazine on topics including the Alps, American explorers Lewis and Clark, and canoeing. He received the Ted V. Rogers Journalism Award for a 1961 article, “From Sea to Shining Sea,” which was about a cross-section of the United States along Route 40.

He was born in Nevada, Mo., and moved to Washington as a child. He graduated from Western High School, where he was valedictorian and president of his class. He attended George Washington University and graduated from the University of Maryland.

He was a member of the Cosmos Club, the Association of American Geographers, the Canoe Cruisers Association, the Civil War Round Table and the Explorers Club of New York.

Before moving to North Carolina seven years ago, he was a member of Darnestown Presbyterian Church.

Mr. Gray wrote a book of poetry, “Behold This Dream,” which was published in September 1999.

Citation: Ralph Gray, 85 — Editor at National Geographic. Washington Post, April 6, 2000, https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/2000/04/07/ralph-gray-85/7eccb4c0-5afc-4ee4-b496-2e2ece81addd/