William Whitaker (geologist)

English hydrogeologist

William Whitaker

Born| 4 May 1836

London

Died| 15 January 1925

Croydon

Nationality| British
Alma mater| University College, London
Known for| Hydrogeology
Spouse| Mary Whitaker (Nee Keogh)
Awards| Murchison Medal (1886)
Prestwich Medal (1906)
Wollaston Medal (1923)
Scientific career
Fields| Geologist

William Whitaker was born on 4 May 1836 in London,[1]

## Early life[edit]

He was educated at St Albans School and University College, London, where he gained a degree in chemistry in 1855.

## Career[edit]

He became a geologist, specializing initially in water surveying and mapping. His thorough research, wide knowledge, and his numerous publications, especially his The Geology of London and of Part of the Thames Valley (1889) has led some to call him “the father of English hydrogeology”. He retired in 1896 but continued to work as a water engineer.

> ... The long lines of escarpment which stretch across several parts of England were formerly considered to be undoubtedly ancient coast-lines; but now we know that they stand up above the general surface merely from resisting air, rain and frost better than the adjoining formations. It has rarely been the good fortune of a geologist to bring conviction to the minds of his fellow-workers on a disputed point by a single memoir; but Mr. Whitaker, of the Geological Survey of England, was so fortunate when, in 1867, he published his paper "On sub-aerial Denudation, and on Cliffs and Escarpments of the Chalk." ....[2]

## Honours[edit]

He was elected fellow of the Geological Society in 1859, and FRS in 1883. He was president of numerous societies, including both the Geologists’ Association and the Geological Society, and was a recipient of the latter’s Murchison Medal in 1886 and Wollaston Medal in 1923. He died in Croydon, Surrey on 15 January 1925,.[3]

## Further reading[edit]

Oxford Dictionary of National Bibliography

## References[edit]

1. ^ Addison, Henry Robert; Oakes, Charles Henry; Lawson, William John; Sladen, Douglas Brooke Wheelton (1905). "WHITAKER, William". Who's Who. Vol. 57\. p. 1719.
2. ^ Darwin, Charles (1896). The formation of vegetable mould, through the action of worms, with observations on their habits. New York: D. Appleton & Co. p. 232.
3. ^ Transactions of the Institution of Mining Engineers. Vol. LXIX.- 1924-1925, London 1925, page 200

* Entry in Who's Who
* W. H. George: entry in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography

## External links[edit]

* Works by or about William Whitaker at Wikisource

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* Jethro Teall
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