Born on March 24, 1919 Cartwright attended Stanford University and earned his BA in 1940, his MA in 1940, and his Ph.D. in Economics in 1950. During this time he served as an Acting Assistant Professor of Economics at the University of Washington from 1947 to 1948 and Assistant Professor from 1948 to 1952. In the period from 1952 until 1960 he served as an Associate Professor in Economics. He began as a full Professor in 1960 and in 1970 was named Executive Vice President of the University of Washington. He served as acting President of the University from 1973 to 1974.