Rickenbacker, Eddie, 1890-1973
Person
Biography
Eddie Rickenbacker was born October 8, 1890.
He started working as a young boy following the death of his father, and became involved with the automotive industry, working in garages and for automobile manufacturers. In 1910 he began participating in car races.
When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Rickenbacker volunteered. He underwent flight training and became the U.S.'s most successful fighter pilot, and was dubbed 'America's Ace of Aces' by the press.
In 1922 he married Adelaide Frost Durant. They adopted two sons, William and David.
Rickenbacker bought Eastern Air Lines from General Motors in 1935 and ran it until his retirement in 1963. He died in July 1973.
Found in 1 Collection or Record:
W. David Lewis Papers
Collection
Identifier: 0529
Scope and Contents
This collection is made up of materials created and collected by Dr. W. David Lewis. Much of the contents relate to Captain Eddie V. Rickenbacker, the subject of Lewis' book Eddie Rickenbacker: An American Hero in the Twentieth Century (2005). Other materials include personal and professional correspondence, materials from teaching classes, and research materials on topics inlcuding the history of aviation, the history of technology, and World War...
Dates:
1910 - 2009
