Hayes was born on July 4, 1910, in Ithaca, New York, the son of Christine (Robertson) and Alfred Hayes. He was a student at Harvard College before transferring to Yale, where he completed a Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry.
Hayes's birthdate was July 4, 1910, in Ithaca, New York. His parents were Christine (Robertson) and Alfred Hayes. He attended Harvard College before transferring to Yale, where he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in chemistry.