Hermann Anton Haus was born 8 August 1925 in Ljubljana, Slovenia. He received the BS degree in 1949 from Union College, the MS from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 1951, and ScD from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1954. Upon graduation, he joined the faculty. He became Associate Professor in 1958, Professor in 1962, and Elihu Thomson Professor in 1973. In 1986 he was bestowed the prestigious title of Institute Professor.

Haus' research and teaching ranged from fundamental investigations of quantum uncertainty as manifested in optical communications to the practical generation of ultra-short optical pulses.

He was elected to Fellow in 1987 and was also the recipient of the Charles Hard Townes Medal in the same year. In 1994, the Society recognized Dr. Haus' contributions with its Frederic Ives Medal, the its highest award, "for his fundamental and seminal contribution to the understanding of quantum noise in optical systems and for a lifetime of dedication to science and engineering education." Haus was an active member of several of the Society's Award Committees. 

Haus authored or co-authored five books and published nearly 300 articles and presented his work at virtually every major conference and symposium on laser and quantum electronics and quantum optics around the world. He was awarded the National Medal of Science in 1995 and was adopted into RPI's Alumni Hall of Fame in 2007.

He died on 21 May 2003 in Lexington, MA, USA at the age of 77.