Henry Woods (geologist) facts for kids

Henry Woods (born December 18, 1868, in Cottenham; died April 4, 1952, in Meldreth) was an important British paleontologist. Paleontologists are scientists who study the history of life on Earth. They learn about ancient plants and animals by studying fossils.

Woods spent most of his life studying and teaching at the University of Cambridge. He became a well-known expert in the field of paleontology.

Early Life and University Career

Henry Woods started his studies at the University of Cambridge. In 1890, he earned his first degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.). He then became a curator at the Woodwardian Museum, which is part of the university. A curator is someone who manages a collection, like fossils in a museum.

He continued his education and earned his Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in 1894. The next year, in 1895, he won the Sedgwick Prize. This was a special award for his work in geology.

Teaching at Cambridge

From 1892 to 1899, Woods worked as a demonstrator in paleobotany. This means he helped students learn about ancient plants. From 1894 to 1899, he also demonstrated in paleozoology, teaching about ancient animals.

In 1899, he became a lecturer in paleontology at Cambridge. He held this important teaching position until he retired in 1934. Even after retiring, he stayed at the university. He worked as a librarian for the paleontology department until he was over eighty years old.

Family Life

In 1910, Henry Woods married another paleontologist named Ethel Skeat. Her father, Walter William Skeat, was a famous professor of Anglo-Saxon. Henry and Ethel are buried together in the Parish of the Ascension Burial Ground in Cambridge.

Awards and Recognition

Henry Woods received several important awards for his scientific work. In 1918, he was given the Lyell Medal. Later, in 1940, he received the Wollaston Medal. Both of these medals are very high honors in the field of geology.

In 1916, he was also chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a special membership for top scientists in the United Kingdom. It shows that his work was highly respected by other scientists.

Key Publications

Henry Woods wrote several important books and papers about paleontology. His most famous work was a textbook called Palaeontology, Invertebrate. This book helped many students learn about ancient animals without backbones. He also wrote a book called Elementary Palaeontology for geology students. These books were very helpful for students studying the history of life on Earth.