Reidar Fauske Sognnaes
Encyclopedia
Reidar Sognnaes was Dean of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
, founding Dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry and world-renowned scholar in the field of oral pathology.
, Norway
. Sognnæs grew up in Bergen and took his final exams at Tanks gymnas in 1931. He took the first part of dental education in Leipzig
, and concluded with an examination at the Norwegian Dental School (Norges Tannlegehøyskole) in 1936. He participated in a Norwegian scientific expedition to Tristan da Cunha
during 1937-38.
Sognnaes came to America in 1938 as an intern at the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children
in Boston
. He continued on as a Carnegie Dental Fellow at the University of Rochester
School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York
, where he earned a master of science degree in physiology
and a Ph.D. in pathology
in 1941.
Following World War II
, in which he served in the Royal Norwegian Air Force
, Sognnaes accepted a teaching position at Harvard University
. There he occupied an endowed chair as the Charles A. Brackett professor of oral pathology and eventually served Director of Postdoctoral Studies at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
between 1956 and 1960, when he came to UCLA. Sognnaes guided the founding of the UCLA School of Dentistry, which was established in 1960. Sognnæs also put his name on scientific publications, primarily on research on tooth enamel and fluoride. Later he published several articles on education and research. He stepped down as dean in 1968, but continued as professor.
Sognnaes will perhaps be best remembered for his work as a gifted forensic scientist. He is credited with identifying the remains of Adolf Hitler
and Martin Bormann
, through examination of classified American
and Soviet dental record. Sognnaes also disproved the theory that President George Washington
had wooden teeth. When the original dentures were stolen from the Smithsonian Institution
during 1981, he was able to produce a duplicate.
Reidar Sognnaes was President of the International Association for Dental Research
, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
and held an honorary doctorate from the University of Oslo
. The Reidar Sognnaes Award of Excellence is awarded annually by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
in honor of Dr. Reidar F. Sognnaes, L.D.S., D.M.D., Ph.D.
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard School of Dental Medicine is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. It is an American dental school located in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to the DMD degree, HSDM offers specialty training programs, advanced training programs, a Ph.D...
, founding Dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry and world-renowned scholar in the field of oral pathology.
Biography
Reidar Fauske Sognnaes was born in BergenBergen
Bergen is the second largest city in Norway with a population of as of , . Bergen is the administrative centre of Hordaland county. Greater Bergen or Bergen Metropolitan Area as defined by Statistics Norway, has a population of as of , ....
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
. Sognnæs grew up in Bergen and took his final exams at Tanks gymnas in 1931. He took the first part of dental education in Leipzig
Leipzig
Leipzig Leipzig has always been a trade city, situated during the time of the Holy Roman Empire at the intersection of the Via Regia and Via Imperii, two important trade routes. At one time, Leipzig was one of the major European centres of learning and culture in fields such as music and publishing...
, and concluded with an examination at the Norwegian Dental School (Norges Tannlegehøyskole) in 1936. He participated in a Norwegian scientific expedition to Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha
Tristan da Cunha is a remote volcanic group of islands in the south Atlantic Ocean and the main island of that group. It is the most remote inhabited archipelago in the world, lying from the nearest land, South Africa, and from South America...
during 1937-38.
Sognnaes came to America in 1938 as an intern at the Forsyth Dental Infirmary for Children
The Forsyth Institute
Forsyth Institute is one of the leading centers for dental and craniofacial research in the world. It is located in the Fenway area of Boston close to the Museum of Fine Arts and adjacent to Northeastern University. It was once an infirmary for Pediatric Dental Care in Boston...
in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. He continued on as a Carnegie Dental Fellow at the University of Rochester
University of Rochester
The University of Rochester is a private, nonsectarian, research university in Rochester, New York, United States. The university grants undergraduate and graduate degrees, including doctoral and professional degrees. The university has six schools and various interdisciplinary programs.The...
School of Medicine and Dentistry in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, where he earned a master of science degree in physiology
Physiology
Physiology is the science of the function of living systems. This includes how organisms, organ systems, organs, cells, and bio-molecules carry out the chemical or physical functions that exist in a living system. The highest honor awarded in physiology is the Nobel Prize in Physiology or...
and a Ph.D. in pathology
Pathology
Pathology is the precise study and diagnosis of disease. The word pathology is from Ancient Greek , pathos, "feeling, suffering"; and , -logia, "the study of". Pathologization, to pathologize, refers to the process of defining a condition or behavior as pathological, e.g. pathological gambling....
in 1941.
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, in which he served in the Royal Norwegian Air Force
Royal Norwegian Air Force
The Royal Norwegian Air Force is the air force of Norway. It was established as a separate arm of the Norwegian armed forces on 10 November 1944. The RNoAF's peace force is approximately 1,430 employees . 600 personnel also serve their draft period in the RNoAF...
, Sognnaes accepted a teaching position at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. There he occupied an endowed chair as the Charles A. Brackett professor of oral pathology and eventually served Director of Postdoctoral Studies at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Harvard School of Dental Medicine is one of the graduate schools of Harvard University. It is an American dental school located in the Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. In addition to the DMD degree, HSDM offers specialty training programs, advanced training programs, a Ph.D...
between 1956 and 1960, when he came to UCLA. Sognnaes guided the founding of the UCLA School of Dentistry, which was established in 1960. Sognnæs also put his name on scientific publications, primarily on research on tooth enamel and fluoride. Later he published several articles on education and research. He stepped down as dean in 1968, but continued as professor.
Sognnaes will perhaps be best remembered for his work as a gifted forensic scientist. He is credited with identifying the remains of Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler
Adolf Hitler was an Austrian-born German politician and the leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party , commonly referred to as the Nazi Party). He was Chancellor of Germany from 1933 to 1945, and head of state from 1934 to 1945...
and Martin Bormann
Martin Bormann
Martin Ludwig Bormann was a prominent Nazi official. He became head of the Party Chancellery and private secretary to Adolf Hitler...
, through examination of classified American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Soviet dental record. Sognnaes also disproved the theory that President George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
had wooden teeth. When the original dentures were stolen from the Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution
The Smithsonian Institution is an educational and research institute and associated museum complex, administered and funded by the government of the United States and by funds from its endowment, contributions, and profits from its retail operations, concessions, licensing activities, and magazines...
during 1981, he was able to produce a duplicate.
Reidar Sognnaes was President of the International Association for Dental Research
International Association for Dental Research
The International Association for Dental Research is a professional association that focuses on research in the field of dentistry. The aim of this association by constitution is to promote research in all fields of oral and related sciences, to encourage improvements in methods for the prevention...
, a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
and held an honorary doctorate from the University of Oslo
University of Oslo
The University of Oslo , formerly The Royal Frederick University , is the oldest and largest university in Norway, situated in the Norwegian capital of Oslo. The university was founded in 1811 and was modelled after the recently established University of Berlin...
. The Reidar Sognnaes Award of Excellence is awarded annually by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences
American Academy of Forensic Sciences
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences is a professional society for people in all areas of forensics.For over sixty years, the AAFS has served a distinguished and diverse membership. Its nearly 6,000 members are divided into eleven sections spanning the forensic enterprise...
in honor of Dr. Reidar F. Sognnaes, L.D.S., D.M.D., Ph.D.
Personal life
Reidar Sognnaes married Edel Marie Johanna Holand (1916–2010), the daughter of Jorgen Kristian Holand and Annette Marthea Foldvik in Kristiania (now Oslo) Norway on June 29, 1939. They were the parents of four children.Selected works
- Oral health survey of Tristan da Cunha ) (1954)
- Microstructure and histochemical characteristics of the mineralized tissues (1955)
- Calcification in Biological Systems (1960)
- Chemistry and prevention of dental caries (1962)
- Mechanisms of Hard Tissue Destruction (1963)
- America's most famous teeth (1974)
- Dental evidence in the postmortem identification of Adolf Hitler, Eva Braun, and Martin Bormann (1977)
Other sources
- In memoriam, Reidar Sognnaes (1911-1984)--34th President of the IADR, 1957-58 (Journal of Dental Research. 1984 Nov; 63. 11)