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| History and Philosophy of Geology Division Newsletter | ||||
| Volume 34, Number 4 | http://gsahist.org |
November 2010 | ||
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Questions, Comments and so forth are always
welcome as are your suggestions for content. Please send to the Newsletter
Editor, Jane Davidson As you know, the Division name change has been proposed and accepted by
the Council and gone into effect. We are now the History and Philosophy of
Geology Division. Bylaws changes will be posted on the website shortly for
your perusal. Professor Bork accepting on behalf of Professor Gohau
Through deeply informed research Dr. Gohau has made extensive and important contributions to the literature of the history of geology. His work has illuminated diverse topics and issues such as theories of the earth, the historical framing of inquiry about the earth, concepts of mountain-formation, stratigraphy, metamorphism and the formation of granite, and the philosophical foundations of geological thinking. Gohau’s many
papers illuminate the work of historical figures ranging across a long
period, from Descartes and Burnet to Élie de Beaumont and Prévost. Among his
books are (1) a broad inquiry into the earth sciences’ “gestation” during
the 17th and 18th centuries, (2) a succinct account of the beginnings of
historical geology, and (3) one of the most widely used comprehensive
histories of geology of our time. Since 1996 he has presided over the
principal French group dedicated to the history of geology, the Comité
Français d’Histoire de la Géologie. We live in an increasingly "Global World," but barriers of language and culture do still exist. It is therefore possible that many members of the Geological Society of America (GSA) will not be familiar with French historians of geology. My pleasant task today is to introduce Dr. Gabriel GOHAU, a French colleague and renowned scholar, as the 2010 recipient of the Geological Society of America's "Mary C. Rabbitt Award." This honor, bestowed by GSA's History of Geology Division, is an excellent example of our recognition of valued work in an international context. Professor Gohau's insightful writings, and his leadership of COFRHIGEO (Comité français d'histoire de ía géologie), are celebrated in France and among Francophone readers around the world. Americans may be familiar with Gabriel's superb book, Histoire de la géologie (1987), translated into English (1990) by Albert and Marguerite Carozzi. Also in 1990, Gohau published Earth Sciences in the 17th and 18th Centuries (Les sciences de la Terre aux "Ile et XVIIIe siècle)s. His important book on The Birth of Historical Geology (Naissance de la géologie historique) appeared in 2003. I can tell you that American and British members of COFRIGEO, such as Ken
Taylor, Martin Rudwick, Hugh Torrens, and yours truly, have profited
immensely from a long line of important articles produced by Dr. Gohau.
Hallmarks of his writing are clear explications of major issues and fresh
insights into significant historical contexts. Early in his career he
illuminated the development of ideas concerned with the origin of mountains.
That topic was revisited in his recently published book on the prehistory of
tectonics. From the late 1970s to the present, Prof. Gohau also has
generated valuable biographic analyses of major figures in the history of
the geosciences. Subjects of his informative portraits include Buffon,
Prévost, Jean-André De Luc, the de Beaumont, Lamarck, Dolomieu, Lavoisier,
Cuvier, and, in Britain, Rev. Thomas Burnet, and James Hutton. Announcing the 2010 Gerald M. and Sue T. Friedman DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD Winner: Daniel F. Merriam Professor Merriam was unable to attend and his award was accepted on his behalf by Vic Baker, who also read a message of thank you from Professor Merriam. Daniel F. Merriam’s services to the history of geology over a period of many
decades have been extraordinary. Besides his own extensive service to the
Division and its activities, he has made exceptional contributions as an
organizer, editor, chronicler, compiler, and author, with a long record of
historical publications including departmental and organizational histories,
bibliographies, indexes, and obituaries. Ms Finnen Waters was presented her award by Vic Baker. Her citationist
was Professor Kerry Magruder. Research Interests: Coal sedimentology and surface mine hydrology issues in Russia, Mongolia and NEChina, Early Paleozoic clastic sedimentology NE US. Expression of Interest: "Jim Dawson studied the History of
Geologic Thought in a course taught by Robert H. Dott, Jr. at the UW-Madison
and has continued to read and study this subject area with considerable
interest for over forty years. He has served the GSA HoG Division as Chair
of the Nominations Committee 1996-1999 and has participated in all HoG
events at ten of the last 12 GSA Annual Meetings. He is committed to giving
substantial effort to the GSA HoGD, including participation at all GSA
Annual Meetings from 2010 through 2014 and beyond as needed." GSA Division: History and Philosophy of Geology MARY C. RABBITT HISTORY OF GEOLOGY AWARD GERALD M. AND SUE T. FRIEDMAN DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AWARD HISTORY OF GEOLOGY STUDENT AWARD Nominations due 1 February 2011 For more information, please see http://gsahist.org/HoGaward/awards.htm . Submit nominations to Jane P. Davidson. University of Nevada, Reno, NV 89557-0001, USA; +1-775-747-2252; jdhexen@unr.edu .
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