Samuel S. Snyder

Born August 18, 1911, Baltimore, Md.; computer scientist who had considerable influence on the acquisition of computing capabilities in US governmental agencies, founding member of ACM.

Education: BS, chemistry, George Washington University, 1939.

Professional Experience: National Security Agency, 1934-1964; supervisor, automation activities, Library of Congress, 1964-1966; Research Analysis Corporation, 1967-1970.

From 1936 to 1964 Snyder's work with the National Security Agency and its predecessors included assignments as punched-card equipment supervisor, cryptologist, and computer programmer and planner. He played a leading part in the agency's acquisition of a number of computers, including the specially modified model of IBM's STRETCH series, known as the HARVEST project. In 1964 he was appointed as the first supervisor of the Library of Congress automation activities, retiring from government service in December 1966. From 1967 to 1970 he worked at the Research Analysis Corporation. Man and Computer, coauthored by Snyder and anthropologist Ashley Montagu, was published in 1973. For several years Snyder served as a part-time consultant at the National Security Agency. He is a charter member of ACM (1947) and senior member of IEEE.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Biographical

Snyder, Samuel S., "Computer Advances Pioneered by Cryptologic Organizations," Ann. Hist. Comp., Vol. 2, No. 1, 1980, pp. 60-70.

UPDATES

Samuel Simon Snyder died December 28, 2007 (MRW, 2012).