Janet Watson
Janet Watson | |
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Born | Janet Vida Watson 1 September 1923 Hampstead, London, UK |
Died | 29 March 1985 Ashtead, UK | (aged 61)
Education | Reading University (1943) Imperial College (PhD, 1949) |
Occupation | Professor at Imperial College London (1958). |
Spouse | John Sutton (m. 1949–1985) |
Children | 2 daughters (both died at birth) |
Parents |
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Janet Vida Watson FRS FGS (1923–1985) was a British geologist. She was a professor of Geology at Imperial College, a rapporteur for the International Geological Correlation Program (IGCP) (1977–1982)[1] and a vice president of the Royal Society (1983–1984).[2] In 1982 she was elected president of the Geological Society of London, the first woman to occupy that position. She is well known for her contribution to the understanding of the Lewisian complex and as an author and co-author of several books including Beginning Geology and Introduction to Geology.[1]
Personal life
She was born 1 September 1923 in
Career
After her graduation in 1943, Watson began working at the National Institute for Research in Dairying. She observed chicken growth and their diets. She became bored with her job and went on to teach biology at Wentworth School,
After receiving her PhD in 1949, Janet and her husband; John Sutton, continued their involvement with Imperial College. They published their thesis work in a paper in 1951,
In 1952, Janet worked under H.H. Read as a research assistant, until 1973 when she became a senior lecturer.
Around the 1960s, Janet and her research team collaborated with survey geologists from the Highlands Unit of the Institute of Geological Sciences (IGS) to study the Outer Hebrides in Scotland.[8] Later on, they published maps of the region in 1982 as well as a memoir in 1994.[9]
In 1965 isotopic dating had advanced into practicality for geologists. This technology aided Janet's research in the Caledonian Belt, showing metamorphic rocks, migmatites, and granites ages ranging from 750 to 360 million years old. Another set of discoveries in south-west England show metamorphic rocks ranging from 400 to 350 million years old, hercynian granites 300 to 250 million years old, tertiary granites and allied rocks 65 to 50 million years old.[10]
From the mid-1970s Jane worked with the IGS to study the post-Caledonian evolution of Scotland and the effects that diagenesis and hydrothermal activity had on the region.[8]
In 1975, Watson was appointed to a personal chair as research professor of geology.[11] She continued to work on the problems of the precambrian in Scotland but also published on ore genesis and regional geochemistry.[2] From 1977, Jane worked with the IGS again to study the structural evolution of northern Scotland and its effects on uranium distribution throughout the region. From this study, they developed "stream sediment sampling" which was a technique used to study geochemical problems.[8] She served as president of the Geological Society from 1982 to 1984, the first woman to hold that post.[5] During her time in this role, the Geological Society received additional funding for the Palaeographic Atlas.[12] Watson continued to work in her profession during her retirement, in spite of ailing health, until her death in 1985.[13]
Throughout her career, Janet continued her research in certain regions of the world, including: Greenland, the Channel Islands, Italy and Tanganyika.[9] From this work she also published around 65 research papers.[9]
Awards
- Lyell Fund – awarded jointly with John Sutton 1954[1]
- Bigsby Medal – awarded jointly with John Sutton 1965[1]
- Lyell Medal – awarded 1973[2]
- Clough Medal – awarded 1979[2]
- Fellow of the Royal Society – elected 1979, member of the council and vice-president until her death[2]
Publications
Year | Publication | Subject Matter |
---|---|---|
1962 | Fossils and their Uses | What is a fossil and what they are used for |
1966 | Beginning Geology | Early stages of the earth's history |
1975 | A Correlation of the Precambrian Rocks in the British Isles | The Geology of Great Britain |
1977 | Introduction to Geology | Introducing geology (rocks and mineralogy) |
1979 | Rocks and Minerals - Second Edition | Isotopic age-determinations of rocks and minerals |
1983 | Geology and Man: An Introduction to Applied Earth Science | Introduction to earth science and environmental science |
Legacy
Janet Watson was a major contributor to the advancement of Earth Science.[2] In May 2009, the lecture theatre at the Geological Society was named after her as an appreciation for her major influence in the geology community.[14] As of 2016[update], the Geological Society holds an annual Janet Watson meeting event. The conference puts an emphasis on giving the opportunity to young geologists starting their careers to present and discuss their research.[15] Watson is also very well remembered for her ability to ask fundamental questions about many areas in her field. One of her many students, Rick Sibson, appreciated her for always pushing them to create their own way of thinking.[14]
References
- ^ S2CID 72513584.
- ^ S2CID 129444387. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ a b c d The National Archives (1994). "Catalogue of the papers and correspondence of JANET VIDA WATSON FRS (1923–1985)". Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ "Watson, Janet Vida (1923–1985) | Encyclopedia.com". www.encyclopedia.com. Retrieved 9 April 2019.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-415-92040-7. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- S2CID 129375227.
- ISBN 978-1-86239-126-0. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ^ , retrieved 29 September 2020
- ^ OCLC 1057237368.)
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: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) CS1 maint: others (link - S2CID 129388088.
- ^ Imperial College (2007). "A celebration of Earth Science and Engineering at Imperial College London 1907–2007" (PDF). p. 20. Retrieved 13 February 2010.
- ISBN 978-1-78634-264-5.
- ISBN 978-1-57607-090-1.
- ^ a b Park, Graham (November 2008). "Janet Vida Watson, FRS: an appreciation" (PDF).
- ^ "The Geological Society of London – The Janet Watson Meeting". www.geolsoc.org.uk. Retrieved 11 April 2019.