A.B. Magna cum laude, History and Science, Harvard University, 1962
A.M., History of Science, Harvard University, 1965
Ph.D., History of Science, Harvard University, 1968
A California native, I came to Oklahoma in 1967. I enjoyed teaching a broad range of History of Science courses at both undergrad and graduate levels, and served as Department Chair for a total of 14 years. Most of my research has addressed the early development of geology. I chaired the U.S. National Committee on the History of Geology (1990–93), and was President of the History of the Earth Sciences Society (1997–98) and the International Commission on the History of Geological Sciences (2012–16). My work in the history of geology has been recognized through awards from the national geological societies of three countries: The Geological Society of London’s Friedman Medal (1998), the Geological Society of America’s Rabbitt Award (2007), and the Société Géologique de France’s Prix Wegmann (2018). In 2024 I became the fourth recipient of the IUGS Vladimir V. Tikhomirov Award. My OU honors include the Glenn Couch Scholars’ Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching (1969), and the Regents’ Award for Superior Professional and University Service (1994).
