Geologists' Biographies, I - M
Joseph P. Iddings (1857–1920)
A major founder of modern petrology and the man for whom iddingsite is named; a memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
A major founder of modern petrology and the man for whom iddingsite is named; a memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
John Jaeger (1907–1979)
A long memoir about this pathbreaking geophysicist is on the Australian Academy of Science site.
A long memoir about this pathbreaking geophysicist is on the Australian Academy of Science site.
Harold James (1912–2000)
Hal James first deciphered the banded iron formation, benefiting the whole world. His long and varied career is remembered on the National Academy of Sciences site.
Hal James first deciphered the banded iron formation, benefiting the whole world. His long and varied career is remembered on the National Academy of Sciences site.
Harold Jeffries (1891-1989)
The English geophysicist who brought his penetrating mathematical mind to problems of the Earth's deep interior. This biography is part of the MacTutor History of Mathematics archive.
The English geophysicist who brought his penetrating mathematical mind to problems of the Earth's deep interior. This biography is part of the MacTutor History of Mathematics archive.
William Kaula (1926–2000)
He laid the groundwork for the GPS satellite network and pioneered planetology as well; a memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
He laid the groundwork for the GPS satellite network and pioneered planetology as well; a memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Willliam Kaula
A shorter tribute with some extra details from UCLA, where Kaula worked for many years.
A shorter tribute with some extra details from UCLA, where Kaula worked for many years.
Kerry Kelts (1947–2001)
A prime mover in bringing marine methods to the study of lakes and the father of limnogeology, remembered here by the International Association of Limnology.
A prime mover in bringing marine methods to the study of lakes and the father of limnogeology, remembered here by the International Association of Limnology.
Clarence King (1842–1901)
Explorer of California and the mountain West, first head of the USGS and "best and brightest man of his generation," King gets the "rock star" treatment from the Geological Society of America.
Explorer of California and the mountain West, first head of the USGS and "best and brightest man of his generation," King gets the "rock star" treatment from the Geological Society of America.
Maurice and Katia Krafft (1946–1991, 1942–1991)
The First Couple of volcano documenters, who both came from Alsace and died at Unzen two weeks after Pinatubo, are memorialized in French by the ARTE Group.
The First Couple of volcano documenters, who both came from Alsace and died at Unzen two weeks after Pinatubo, are memorialized in French by the ARTE Group.
Andrew Lawson (1861–1952)
Scots-born, Canadian-trained, Lawson made his biggest mark as leader of the official report on the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A "rock star" profile from the GSA.
Scots-born, Canadian-trained, Lawson made his biggest mark as leader of the official report on the 1906 San Francisco earthquake. A "rock star" profile from the GSA.
Mary Leakey (1913–1996)
The great excavator (with Louis S. B. Leakey) of early human fossils, profiled by Scientific American in 1994.
The great excavator (with Louis S. B. Leakey) of early human fossils, profiled by Scientific American in 1994.
The Leakey Family
From Time magazine's series on the greatest 100 people of the century comes this frank and personal portrayal of the first family of early-human studies, by fellow and rival Donald Johanson.
From Time magazine's series on the greatest 100 people of the century comes this frank and personal portrayal of the first family of early-human studies, by fellow and rival Donald Johanson.
Joseph Le Conte (1823–1901)
An influential geologist and co-founder of the Sierra Club, memorialized by Eugene Hilgard for the National Academy of Sciences in 1907.
An influential geologist and co-founder of the Sierra Club, memorialized by Eugene Hilgard for the National Academy of Sciences in 1907.
Inge Lehmann (1888–1993)
The great Danish seismologist whose 1936 paper titled "P' " announced the Earth's inner core. This biography is at the American Geophysical Union's Lehmann Medal site.
The great Danish seismologist whose 1936 paper titled "P' " announced the Earth's inner core. This biography is at the American Geophysical Union's Lehmann Medal site.
Inge Lehmann
A lengthy scientific appreciation of Lehmann by the eminent seismologist Bruce Bolt.
A lengthy scientific appreciation of Lehmann by the eminent seismologist Bruce Bolt.
Joseph Leidy (1823–1891)
An American pioneer in vertebrate paleontology as well as medical research, his life is laid out in profusely illustrated detail on the Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia) site.
An American pioneer in vertebrate paleontology as well as medical research, his life is laid out in profusely illustrated detail on the Academy of Natural Sciences (Philadelphia) site.
Leo Lesquereux (1806–1889)
A notable paleobotanist, student of coal, and deaf scientist, from Clark Kimberling's biographical site.
A notable paleobotanist, student of coal, and deaf scientist, from Clark Kimberling's biographical site.
Helen Tappan Loeblich (1917–2004)
One of the greatest names in paleontology, Helen worked on microfossils for six decades with her husband Al Loeblich.
One of the greatest names in paleontology, Helen worked on microfossils for six decades with her husband Al Loeblich.
William Logan (1798–1875)
Founder of the Geological Survey of Canada and a legendary fieldworker; a biography by the agency he created.
Founder of the Geological Survey of Canada and a legendary fieldworker; a biography by the agency he created.
Mikhail Vasilievich Lomonosov (1711–1765)
A giant of Russian science and fundamental contributor to geology and ore mineralogy. James Aber's History of Geology course site hosts this biography.
A giant of Russian science and fundamental contributor to geology and ore mineralogy. James Aber's History of Geology course site hosts this biography.
J. David Love (1913–2002)
The man who mapped Wyoming was profiled by Geotimes two years before his death.
The man who mapped Wyoming was profiled by Geotimes two years before his death.
Tom Lovering (1896–1991)
An influential investigator of ore deposition, this illustrious mapper and geochemist is memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
An influential investigator of ore deposition, this illustrious mapper and geochemist is memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
Heinz Lowenstam (1912–1993)
A pioneer in the isotopic chemistry of fossils and owner of a fascinating life story, recounted by Joseph Kirschvink for the National Academy of Science.
A pioneer in the isotopic chemistry of fossils and owner of a fascinating life story, recounted by Joseph Kirschvink for the National Academy of Science.
Charles Lyell (1797–1875)
The entry from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica for this very influential geologist, reproduced at the Genesis Network site.
The entry from the 1911 Encyclopaedia Britannica for this very influential geologist, reproduced at the Genesis Network site.
Gordon Macdonald (1929–2002)
An intellectual powerhouse and prime mover in climate-change science, remembered on the National Academy of Science site by Walter Munk, Naomi Oreskes, and Richard Muller.
An intellectual powerhouse and prime mover in climate-change science, remembered on the National Academy of Science site by Walter Munk, Naomi Oreskes, and Richard Muller.
J. Hoover Mackin (1905–1968)
A prominent geomorphologist, superb teacher and the man who said that "it is more important that a working hypothesis be provocative than it be right."
A prominent geomorphologist, superb teacher and the man who said that "it is more important that a working hypothesis be provocative than it be right."
William Maclure (1763–1840)
Father of American geology, from Clark Kimberling's biographical site.
Father of American geology, from Clark Kimberling's biographical site.
John Edward Marr (1857–1933)
The Lancashire Pioneers site praises this English geologist who rose high among Paleozoic specialists.
The Lancashire Pioneers site praises this English geologist who rose high among Paleozoic specialists.
Kirtley Mather (1888–1978)
Mather began his career in geology, then became one of the US's leading public scientific voices starting with the 1925 Scopes trial. A "Rock Star" profile (PDF) from GSA Today.
Mather began his career in geology, then became one of the US's leading public scientific voices starting with the 1925 Scopes trial. A "Rock Star" profile (PDF) from GSA Today.
Tom McEvilly (1934–2002)
A powerhouse of field seismology, McEvilly is remembered as a scientist and human being at the University of California at Berkeley.
A powerhouse of field seismology, McEvilly is remembered as a scientist and human being at the University of California at Berkeley.
Edwin McKee (1906–1984)
A student of the Grand Canyon and sediments the world over, McKee is treated like a "Rock Star" by GSA Today (PDF).
A student of the Grand Canyon and sediments the world over, McKee is treated like a "Rock Star" by GSA Today (PDF).
John C. Merriam (1869–1945)
Excavator of the tar pits of Rancho La Brea and builder of institutions, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
Excavator of the tar pits of Rancho La Brea and builder of institutions, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
Milutin Milankovitch (1879–1958)
The Serbian scientist who first learned how Earth's orbit affects its long-term climate, presented by NASA's "Earth Observatory" newsletter.
The Serbian scientist who first learned how Earth's orbit affects its long-term climate, presented by NASA's "Earth Observatory" newsletter.
Hugh Miller (1802–1856)
Deborah Painter introduces this original and romantic Scottish geologist-writer in an article from Fossil News.
Deborah Painter introduces this original and romantic Scottish geologist-writer in an article from Fossil News.
Hugh Miller
Scotland's library agency SLAINTE remembers Miller as the great writer he was.
Scotland's library agency SLAINTE remembers Miller as the great writer he was.
Hughmiller.org
A more passionate and rousing site about the sage of Cromarty, maintained by Frieda and Martin Gostwick. Wonderful letters-to-the-editor.
A more passionate and rousing site about the sage of Cromarty, maintained by Frieda and Martin Gostwick. Wonderful letters-to-the-editor.
Andrija Mohorovicic (1857–1936)
The great Croatian seismologist, for whom the Moho is named, is presented on this page from Istrianet.
The great Croatian seismologist, for whom the Moho is named, is presented on this page from Istrianet.
Raymond Moore (1892–1974)
Mapper of the American Midwest and, among other things, founder of the "Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology"; a "rock star" treatment by the Geological Society of America.
Mapper of the American Midwest and, among other things, founder of the "Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology"; a "rock star" treatment by the Geological Society of America.