Geologists' Biographies, N - R
Fridtjof Nansen (1861–1930)
Arctic explorer, oceanographer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nansen was a superb leader of expeditions. A biography of this Norwegian scientist from James Aber's History of Geology course site.
Arctic explorer, oceanographer and Nobel Peace Prize winner, Nansen was a superb leader of expeditions. A biography of this Norwegian scientist from James Aber's History of Geology course site.
Alfred O. C. Nier (1911–1994)
An important early worker in isotope systematics and a gifted experimenter, Nier laid the foundations of today's precise age dating techniques. A memorial from the National Academy of Sciences.
An important early worker in isotope systematics and a gifted experimenter, Nier laid the foundations of today's precise age dating techniques. A memorial from the National Academy of Sciences.
William Nierenberg (1919–2000)
Nierenberg's second career was in oceanography, where he made signal contributions in climate-change theory. A biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Nierenberg's second career was in oceanography, where he made signal contributions in climate-change theory. A biographical memoir from the National Academy of Sciences.
Hans Oeschger (1927–1998)
The Swiss geophysicist who laid the foundation of Ice-Age atmosphere and climate studies (and after whom Dansgaard-Oeschger events are named) is memorialized by the European Geosciences Union, which named a medal for him.
The Swiss geophysicist who laid the foundation of Ice-Age atmosphere and climate studies (and after whom Dansgaard-Oeschger events are named) is memorialized by the European Geosciences Union, which named a medal for him.
Everett Olson (1910–1993)
One the century's great vertebrate paleontologists, who brought ecological insight into his field, memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
One the century's great vertebrate paleontologists, who brought ecological insight into his field, memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
Fusakichi Omori (1868–1923)
One of Japan's greatest seismologists and creator of the Japanese earthquake magnitude scale, Omori is remembered in this obituary from Nature.
One of Japan's greatest seismologists and creator of the Japanese earthquake magnitude scale, Omori is remembered in this obituary from Nature.
Victor Oppenheim (1906– )
Born in Latvia, Oppenheim was the primary mapper of much of South America. This site from the University of North Texas has copious detail from his colorful life.
Born in Latvia, Oppenheim was the primary mapper of much of South America. This site from the University of North Texas has copious detail from his colorful life.
John Ostrom (1928–2005)
A central figure in 20th-century dinosaur studies, Ostrom is memorialized in thie Yale press release.
A central figure in 20th-century dinosaur studies, Ostrom is memorialized in thie Yale press release.
Timothy O'Sullivan (1840–1882)
This pioneering American photographer accompanied Clarence King, G. K. Gilbert and George Wheeler in the field. The master's thesis of Web designer Elizabeth Paul includes some fine photos.
This pioneering American photographer accompanied Clarence King, G. K. Gilbert and George Wheeler in the field. The master's thesis of Web designer Elizabeth Paul includes some fine photos.
David Dale Owen (1807–1860)
A pioneering geologist in the American Midwest who oversaw the first geological surveys of Indiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas, biographical site by Clark Kimberling.
A pioneering geologist in the American Midwest who oversaw the first geological surveys of Indiana, Kentucky, and Arkansas, biographical site by Clark Kimberling.
Richard Owen [American] (1810–1890)
State Geologist of Indiana, early expert on earthquakes, and first president of Purdue University, from Clark Kimberling's history site.
State Geologist of Indiana, early expert on earthquakes, and first president of Purdue University, from Clark Kimberling's history site.
Richard Owen [English] (1804–1892)
The man who named the dinosaurs, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
The man who named the dinosaurs, from the University of California Museum of Paleontology site.
Richard Owen, Lancashire Pioneer
A wealth of material is gathered here about Owen's public and private life.
A wealth of material is gathered here about Owen's public and private life.
Clair Patterson (1922–1995)
The man who determined the age of the Earth and greatly advanced the science of isotopic dating, memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
The man who determined the age of the Earth and greatly advanced the science of isotopic dating, memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
Charles S. Peirce (1839–1914)
One of America's most original people, this philosopher contributed to geodesy, metrology, and oceanic research. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hosts this biography.
One of America's most original people, this philosopher contributed to geodesy, metrology, and oceanic research. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hosts this biography.
Chaim Pekeris (1908–1993)
Born in Lithuania, Pekeris made fundamental contributions to seismology in the USA and was a founder of Israel's scientific institutions. His biography is on the National Academy of Science site.
Born in Lithuania, Pekeris made fundamental contributions to seismology in the USA and was a founder of Israel's scientific institutions. His biography is on the National Academy of Science site.
Richard Penrose, Jr. (1863–1931)
Not a great scientist but a mining millionaire, Penrose is remembered for endowing the Geological Society of America, which honors him with the Penrose Medal and the groundbreaking Penrose Conferences. A biography by James Aber.
Not a great scientist but a mining millionaire, Penrose is remembered for endowing the Geological Society of America, which honors him with the Penrose Medal and the groundbreaking Penrose Conferences. A biography by James Aber.
Frank Perret (1867–1943)
An American who fell in love with volcanoes and bacame "the hero of Vesuvius," Perret is remembered at length by writer Tom Gidwitz.
An American who fell in love with volcanoes and bacame "the hero of Vesuvius," Perret is remembered at length by writer Tom Gidwitz.
Charles Piggot (1892–1973)
He brought the geological techniques of landlubbers to the sediments of the deep sea floor, opening two-thirds of the globe to Earth science. A memorial by the National Academy of Sciences.
He brought the geological techniques of landlubbers to the sediments of the deep sea floor, opening two-thirds of the globe to Earth science. A memorial by the National Academy of Sciences.
John Playfair (1748-1819)
The Scotsman who singlehandedly put James Hutton's geological theory onto the world stage, making him the midwife of geology, was better known as a mathematician. This biography, at the MacTutor History of Mathematics site, shows the full range of his immense talents.
The Scotsman who singlehandedly put James Hutton's geological theory onto the world stage, making him the midwife of geology, was better known as a mathematician. This biography, at the MacTutor History of Mathematics site, shows the full range of his immense talents.
John Wesley Powell (1834–1902)
Trailblazer of the Grand Canyon and dynamic scientific leader, his biography is on the Powell Memorial Museum site.
Trailblazer of the Grand Canyon and dynamic scientific leader, his biography is on the Powell Memorial Museum site.
Roger Revelle (1909–1991)
Not just a great oceanographer but a noted public servant, manager, and communicator, Revelle is memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
Not just a great oceanographer but a noted public servant, manager, and communicator, Revelle is memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
John Reynolds (1923–2000)
An originator of nuclear cosmochemistry--studying the origin of the Earth in meteorites--Reynolds is memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
An originator of nuclear cosmochemistry--studying the origin of the Earth in meteorites--Reynolds is memorialized by the National Academy of Sciences.
Charles F. Richter (1900–1985)
Deviser of the first decent earthquake magnitude scale and a great popularizer of seismology, Richter is interviewed here by the USGS's Henry Spall.
Deviser of the first decent earthquake magnitude scale and a great popularizer of seismology, Richter is interviewed here by the USGS's Henry Spall.
A. E. Ringwood (1930–1993)
A memoir about this leading thinker on the Earth's bulk composition, from the Australian Academy of Science.
A memoir about this leading thinker on the Earth's bulk composition, from the Australian Academy of Science.
Keith Runcorn (1922–1995)
A brief biography of this great geophysicist is on the European Geosciences Union site.
A brief biography of this great geophysicist is on the European Geosciences Union site.
I. C. Russell (1852–1906)
Intrepid explorer of the Great Basin and glacial Alaska (Russell Fiord bears his name), Russell is memorialized in the GSA "rock stars" series.
Intrepid explorer of the Great Basin and glacial Alaska (Russell Fiord bears his name), Russell is memorialized in the GSA "rock stars" series.