John Flett (geologist) facts for kids
Sir John Smith Flett (born June 26, 1869 – died January 26, 1947) was a famous Scottish scientist. He started his career as a doctor, but soon became a very important geologist. Geologists are scientists who study the Earth, its rocks, and how it was formed. Sir John helped us understand a lot about volcanoes and rocks.
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John Flett's Early Life and Education
John Flett was born in a place called Kirkwall, which is in Orkney, Scotland. He went to school in Kirkwall and then to George Watson's College in Edinburgh. Later, he studied at the University of Edinburgh. He earned several degrees there, including one in science and one in medicine.
After finishing his studies, John Flett worked as a doctor for a short time. However, he soon decided that his true passion was geology. In 1895, he changed his career to focus entirely on studying rocks and the Earth.
He became a teacher of Petrology at the University of Edinburgh. Petrology is the study of rocks. He also worked for the Geological Survey of Great Britain. This is an organization that maps and studies the geology of the country. He started as a rock expert (Petrographer) in 1901. Later, he became an Assistant Director in 1911 and then the Director from 1920 to 1935.
Exciting Expeditions and Discoveries
Sir John Flett loved going on adventures to study geology. He took part in several important expeditions. One of his most famous trips was with another scientist named Tempest Anderson.
In 1902 and again in 1907, they traveled to the Caribbean. Their mission was to observe what happened after volcanoes erupted. This work was very important for understanding how volcanoes behave and how they change the land around them.
Awards and Later Achievements
John Flett received many awards for his important work in geology. He won the Neill Prize from the Royal Society of Edinburgh between 1898 and 1901. In 1900, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. This is a special honor given to top scientists.
In 1913, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society, which is another very prestigious scientific group. He also received the Bolitho Medal in 1917. In 1925, he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (KBE). This meant he could use the title "Sir." In 1935, he won the Wollaston Medal, one of the highest awards in geology.
Sir John Flett also led several important scientific groups. He was the president of the Edinburgh Geological Society. He was also the president of the Mineralogical Society, which studies minerals. In 1921, he led the geology section of the British Association.
Sir John Flett passed away in Ashdon, Essex. Some of his old papers from his student days are kept at Edinburgh University. The British Geological Survey also has many of his papers and letters from 1902 to 1944.
His Family
Sir John Flett married Mary Jane 'Polly' Meason. They had four children together: Winifred Mary, Enid Jean, Harald, and Sir Martin Teall Flett. His granddaughter, Scarth Flett, was a journalist who married another journalist named John Pilger.
Lasting Recognition
Sir John Flett's contributions to geology were so important that he was honored in a special way. In the mid-1970s, a new building was constructed in London. It was built between the Geological Museum and the Natural History Museum. This building, which includes a lecture theatre, was named after him. It is a lasting reminder of his important work in understanding our planet.
