P004510 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 2003-11-25 human Ailie Smith updated 2025-10-29 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P004510b.htm person Sanger Ruth Ann AACR2 18 June 1918 5 June 2001 Place of Birth Southport, Queensland, Australia Place of Death England Haematologist 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.

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.

1938 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 1948 Education - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), London University 1950 1950 Career position - Blood Groups in Man released 1972 1972 Career position - Fellow, The Royal Society, London (FRS) 1973 1973 Award - Oliver Memorial Award for Blood Transfusion, British Red Cross 1973 1983 Career position - Director of the British Medical Research Council

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VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Sanger, Ruth Anne (1918-2001)

Trove

 'Sanger, Ruth Ann', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Sanger, Ruth Ann Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Newspaper Article: Obituary: Dr Ruth Sanger, Blood research pioneer, author Smith, Bridie Obituary: Dr Ruth Sanger, Blood research pioneer, author 2001 The Age