Our Heritage—A Memorial

Introduction

These Web pages provide short biographies of individuals who are being honored as part of the Illinois State Geological Survey's Centennial Celebration (2005 to 2006).These biographies and a Heritage Memorial Plaque that hangs in the conference room of the Illinois State Geological Survey are being presented to recognize and honor our heritage-the scientists and advocates to whom we owe so much in founding, setting the course, and developing and carrying out the Survey's research program and in building our reputation for providing credible, relevant, and timely scientific and engineering research and service. The intent of the plaque and these biographies is to provide well-deserved recognition for the special individuals, now deceased, who may be considered “pillars” of the Survey—people who were connected to, and whose activities played a major role in, the first century (1905 to 2005) of the modern Illinois State Geological Survey.

Nominations of persons deemed worthy of this honor were requested from many individuals and organizations. The nominations were reviewed by a committee consisting of Jonathan H. Goodwin, David L. Gross, Beverly L. Herzog, and Morris W. Leighton to determine whether the nominee met the following criteria:

1. Is deceased.
2. Worked as a geoscientist or geoengineer for, or on behalf of, the ISGS between 1905 and 2005.
3. Was a senior author of scientific articles, either in an ISGS series or in other peer-reviewed publications, that advanced the fields of Illinois geology or engineering, or that contributed significantly to services provided to the people of the State of Illinois, or that affected the ISGS's history.
4. Is/was recognized nationally for leadership in his/her scientific/engineering field.
5. Is/was recognized for qualities contributing to the success of other ISGS scientists/engineers.
6. Made contributions that have withstood the test of time (i.e., at least 25 years).

Of the nearly 100 people considered for the honor, 74 were judged to meet the criteria and were accepted. The names, years of birth and death, and major fields of accomplishments of these individuals are listed in alphabetical order in the table that follows and on the memorial plaque that hangs in the Survey conference room. Names are linked to that person's biographical sketch. The sketches explain their contributions to the development and strong scientific reputation of the ISGS—our heritage.

During the process of assembling this memorial, donations were received from many people and companies who wanted to honor these individuals and, at the same time, support other activities of the ISGS Centennial Celebration. Those honoring each of the Pillars of our heritage are listed at the end of each biography.

The Illinois State Geological Survey's rich heritage during the past hundred years is one in which all members of the Survey's staff—past, present, and future—can take great pride. To paraphrase Sir Isaac Newton, "If we have seen farther than some, it is because we have stood on the shoulders of giants."

–Morris W. Leighton

Acknowledgment

Special thanks are expressed to the Geological Society of America for its permission to use on these pages material from GSA memorials, many of which were originally authored by Illinois State Geological Survey staff.