Ronald Pearson was born in New York City in 1924, the son of artist, writer and teacher, Ralph M. Pearson. After serving as a officer in the Merchant Marine during World War II, he searched for a school in which he could study handcrafts. His sister, Lorna, had been studying ceramics at the School for American Craftsmen (now School for American Crafts) at Alfred, NY. Ron enrolled there in 1947 to study under Philip Morton, metalsmith. While at the school he set up a shop in which he produced spun bronze bowls that sold very well, and helped pay his school fees. In 1952 Ron made the move to Rochester, NY to work with Jack Prip on jewelry designs and to become a co-founder in the Shop One enterprise.
In 1971 he moved his studio to Deer Isle, ME where he continued his profitable jewelry career. His honors included having his work in the collections of the Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Modern Art and the American Craft Museum. He was awarded the 1996 Gold Metal from the American Craft Council.
Ron died in August, l996.
