John A. Blume, considered by many in the profession to be the "father of earthquake engineering," was a consulting professor of civil and environmental engineering at Stanford. He achieved breakthroughs in seismic and structural engineering that exerted an unprecedented influence on modern earthquake engineering. He provided engineering advice on many significant structures, notably the Stanford Linear Accelerator, restoration of the California State Capitol, and buildings and waterfront structures for Saudi Arabian oil giant Aramco. Blume was an expert in nuclear power plant design who consulted for the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission, as well as on some 70 nuclear plant projects. He earned his BA in civil engineering in 1933 and an engineering degree in 1934, both from Stanford. It was not until 1967 – 33 years after receiving his bachelor's degree – that Blume received his doctorate from Stanford. He was 57. Blume’s many honors include membership in the National Academy of Engineering.