Rufus Paul Turner (December 25, 1907 – March 25, 1982)[1] was an academic, engineer, and author who published on semiconductor devices, technical writing style, and poet-novelist Charlotte Smith.

After three decades working with electronic devices – including developing the first practical transistor radio – he earned a doctorate in literature at age 52 and became an English professor.

[5] Although he did not initially pursue a college degree, Turner's experience with electronics led him to a variety of engineering positions.

[1][8] Over sixty years, Turner published a variety of electronics articles and technical books aimed at both amateurs and professionals.

His semiconductor work included practical guides to components like integrated circuits, solar cells, zener diodes, varactors, thermistors, varistors, and field-effect transistors.