Geologists' Biographies, A - C
Louis Agassiz (1807–1873)
The father of glaciology and a seminal figure in American geology, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
The father of glaciology and a seminal figure in American geology, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
Louis Agassiz
Part of James Aber's history-of-geology course at Emporia State University is this fine biography.
Part of James Aber's history-of-geology course at Emporia State University is this fine biography.
Georgius Agricola (1494–1555)
The founder of geology's life is treated at the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
The founder of geology's life is treated at the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
Georgius Agricola
Another treatment by James Aber, from his History of Geology course site.
Another treatment by James Aber, from his History of Geology course site.
Keiiti Aki (1930–2005)
The great Japanese-born seismologist was profiled in the April 2005 Geotimes.
The great Japanese-born seismologist was profiled in the April 2005 Geotimes.
Mary Anning (1799–1847)
"The greatest fossilist the world ever knew," her life story is at the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
"The greatest fossilist the world ever knew," her life story is at the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
Svante Arrhenius (1859–1927)
The father of the greenhouse effect, presented by NASA's "Earth Observatory" newsletter.
The father of the greenhouse effect, presented by NASA's "Earth Observatory" newsletter.
Elso Barghoorn (1915–1984)
The Brooklyn-born paleontologist pushed fossil science deep into the Precambrian; a biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
The Brooklyn-born paleontologist pushed fossil science deep into the Precambrian; a biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Florence Bascom (1862–1945)
America's first woman geologist and much more, a "rock star" profile (PDF) by the Geological Society of America.
America's first woman geologist and much more, a "rock star" profile (PDF) by the Geological Society of America.
Torbern Bergman (1735–1784)
This Swedish scientist made the first chemical classification of minerals (torbernite is named for him) and devised a scheme for the world's rocks that Werner later perfected as Neptunism. A biography by James Aber.
This Swedish scientist made the first chemical classification of minerals (torbernite is named for him) and devised a scheme for the world's rocks that Werner later perfected as Neptunism. A biography by James Aber.
A. Francis Birch (1903–1992)
A pioneer of deep-Earth studies, his memoir on the National Academy of Sciences site is written by Tom Ahrens.
A pioneer of deep-Earth studies, his memoir on the National Academy of Sciences site is written by Tom Ahrens.
Abu Rayhan al-Biruni (973–1048)
An early Muslim scientist of rare ability, Biruni wrote treatises on minerals and Indian geography while Europe languished in its Dark Ages. A biography by James Aber.
An early Muslim scientist of rare ability, Biruni wrote treatises on minerals and Indian geography while Europe languished in its Dark Ages. A biography by James Aber.
John A. Blume (1909–2002)
A founding father of earthquake engineering, Blume is remembered at the Blume Center site at Stanford University.
A founding father of earthquake engineering, Blume is remembered at the Blume Center site at Stanford University.
Bruce Bolt (1930–2005)
Born in Australia, Bolt made his name applying insights from seismology to make buildings—and society—safer. A memorial page from UC Berkeley.
Born in Australia, Bolt made his name applying insights from seismology to make buildings—and society—safer. A memorial page from UC Berkeley.
Norman Bowen (1887–1956)
The man who put petrology on a firm experimental base is profiled in this long article from Earth Sciences History.
The man who put petrology on a firm experimental base is profiled in this long article from Earth Sciences History.
Norman Bowen
Hap Yoder, author of the biographical article, produced this briefer version for the GSA's "Rock Star" series (PDF).
Hap Yoder, author of the biographical article, produced this briefer version for the GSA's "Rock Star" series (PDF).
Wallace Broecker (1931– )
Until the American geochemist's biography is written, this career summary, issued in 2007 when Broecker won the Crafoord Prize, will have to do.
Until the American geochemist's biography is written, this career summary, issued in 2007 when Broecker won the Crafoord Prize, will have to do.
Bill Brosgé (1921–2005 )
When the man who first mapped the North Slope of Alaska got the Dibblee Medal in 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey mounted this splendid tribute with dozens of precious historical photographs.
When the man who first mapped the North Slope of Alaska got the Dibblee Medal in 2001, the U.S. Geological Survey mounted this splendid tribute with dozens of precious historical photographs.
Keith Bullen (1906–1976)
The New Zealander who laid out today's framework for seismic studies of the deep Earth. Biography from the University of Melbourne.
The New Zealander who laid out today's framework for seismic studies of the deep Earth. Biography from the University of Melbourne.
S. Warren Carey (1911–2002)
Carey was a champion of the mobile Earth and an important precursor to plate tectonics. This thorough, uncritical biography is on Dave Ford's Earth-expansion site.
Carey was a champion of the mobile Earth and an important precursor to plate tectonics. This thorough, uncritical biography is on Dave Ford's Earth-expansion site.
Warren Carey: Last of the Giants
An appreciation of this remarkable scientist by your About Geology Guide.
An appreciation of this remarkable scientist by your About Geology Guide.
Warren Carey Interview
Carey was interviewed in 2000 in Australia, and while short on geology is rich in human detail.
Carey was interviewed in 2000 in Australia, and while short on geology is rich in human detail.
Thomas Chrowder Chamberlin (1843–1928)
The influential glacial geologist, educator, and philosopher of science is treated for James Aber's history-of-geology course at Emporia State University.
The influential glacial geologist, educator, and philosopher of science is treated for James Aber's history-of-geology course at Emporia State University.
T.C. Chamberlin
Another rather different version of Chamberlin's life from GSA Today.
Another rather different version of Chamberlin's life from GSA Today.
Seth Chandler (1846–1913)
This great astronomer discovered the irregular motion of the Earth that bears his name. A charming biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
This great astronomer discovered the irregular motion of the Earth that bears his name. A charming biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Jule Charney (1917–1981)
A central figure in atmospheric research who helped change this field from an art into a science. A memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
A central figure in atmospheric research who helped change this field from an art into a science. A memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Preston Cloud (1912–1991)
First to model the early Earth in meaningful detail, he turned his insight into humanitarian action. A memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
First to model the early Earth in meaningful detail, he turned his insight into humanitarian action. A memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Preston Cloud
Thie "rock star" profile (PDF) from the Geological Society of America, written by Thomas Dutro, is a nice complement to the NAS memoir.
Thie "rock star" profile (PDF) from the Geological Society of America, written by Thomas Dutro, is a nice complement to the NAS memoir.
Edward Drinker Cope (1840–1897)
A leader in the golden age of American fossil collecting, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
A leader in the golden age of American fossil collecting, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
Edward Drinker Cope
A short bio of the American paleontologist (and type specimen for Homo sapiens) is here, part of Michon Scott's Strange Science site.
A short bio of the American paleontologist (and type specimen for Homo sapiens) is here, part of Michon Scott's Strange Science site.
Charles Corry (1938– )
Chuck Corry is well known only to students of laccoliths, but his online autobiography is a clear, honest look at the life and thoughts of a geologist.
Chuck Corry is well known only to students of laccoliths, but his online autobiography is a clear, honest look at the life and thoughts of a geologist.
Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer (1907–2004)
The South African museum curator who brought the first coelacanth to science is remembered by the Daily Telegraph.
The South African museum curator who brought the first coelacanth to science is remembered by the Daily Telegraph.
Allan Cox (1926–1987)
American paleomagnetician whose work was crucial for plate tectonics; a biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
American paleomagnetician whose work was crucial for plate tectonics; a biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Georges Cuvier (1769–1832)
The great paleontologist's life is recounted at the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
The great paleontologist's life is recounted at the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.