Herbert Henry Thomas facts for kids

Herbert Henry Thomas (born March 13, 1876 – died May 12, 1935) was a British geologist. A geologist is a scientist who studies the Earth, including its rocks, minerals, and landforms. Thomas is most famous for discovering that the special "bluestones" used to build Stonehenge came all the way from Wales. He was also recognized for his important work by winning the Murchison Medal.

Early Life and School

Herbert Henry Thomas was born in a city called Exeter in England. His father, Frederick Thomas, worked as a hatter (someone who makes or sells hats) and was also a local councillor, which means he helped make decisions for the town.

Herbert went to Exeter School. Later, in 1894, he went to Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, a famous university. He was a very good student and earned a top degree in Natural Sciences, which includes subjects like geology.

His Career as a Geologist

Herbert Henry Thomas was a very busy and important geologist. In 1903, he won the Sedgwick Prize for his excellent work in geology. He also worked as an assistant to a professor at Oxford University.

From 1901 to 1935, he worked for the Geological Survey of Great Britain. This is a government group that maps and studies the geology of the country. For many years, he was a petrographer, which means he specialized in studying rocks under a microscope to understand what they are made of. He also studied ancient plants, a field called palaeobotany. In 1914, he earned a higher degree called a Doctor of Science (Sc.D.) from Cambridge.

Helping During World War I

During the First World War, Herbert Thomas used his geology skills to help his country. He analyzed the concrete used in German military buildings called pillboxes. He also gave advice on the best materials to use for making aircraft compasses, which are important for navigation.

Solving the Stonehenge Mystery

Herbert Thomas was also very interested in archaeology, which is the study of human history and prehistory through digging up old sites. He was an expert on how ancient people used different types of rocks to make tools and build monuments.

In 1923, he made a huge discovery about Stonehenge. He was the first person to prove that the famous "bluestones" at Stonehenge were exactly the same type of rock found in the Preseli Hills in Pembrokeshire, Wales. This was amazing because the Preseli Hills are about 140 miles (225 kilometers) away from Stonehenge! His discovery helped scientists understand how ancient people might have moved these massive stones.

Leadership in Geology

Thomas was a respected leader in the field of geology. He served as the secretary of the Geological Society of London from 1912 to 1922. After that, he was the vice-president of the society from 1922 to 1924. In 1925, he was awarded the Murchison Medal by the Geological Society, which is a very high honor. Two years later, on May 12, 1927, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, another prestigious award for top scientists.

Family Life

In 1904, Herbert Thomas married Anna Maria Mosley. They lived in a town called Surbiton. They had a son and a daughter.