Johnson Cann facts for kids

Johnson Robin ('Joe') Cann, born on October 18, 1937, is a famous British geologist. A geologist is a scientist who studies the Earth, including its rocks, minerals, and landforms. They learn how the Earth was formed and how it changes over time. Joe Cann became a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS), which is a big honor for scientists in the UK.

Early Life and Learning

Joe Cann went to St Albans School, Hertfordshire when he was younger. After that, he studied at St John's College, Cambridge, which is part of the famous University of Cambridge. He worked very hard and earned a first-class BA degree in 1959. He then got his MA degree in 1961.

In 1962, he earned his PhD from the Earth Sciences Department at Cambridge. For his PhD, he studied with a well-known scientist named Cecil Edgar Tilley. After getting his PhD, he continued his research at St John's College. He also spent time studying in the United States and worked at the Natural History Museum, London, where he studied Mineralogy, which is the study of minerals.

His Career in Science

In 1965, Joe Cann became a lecturer at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in their School of Environmental Science. A lecturer is like a teacher at a university. He was promoted to a higher position called Reader in 1973.

Soon after, he moved to the University of Newcastle upon Tyne. There, he became the J B Simpson Professor of Geology, which is a very important role.

Later, in 1989, Joe Cann moved to the University of Leeds. He became the Chairman of the School of Earth Sciences, leading the department until 1995. While he was a professor at Leeds, he also worked as a visiting scientist at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution in the United States. This institution is famous for studying the ocean.

In 1987, he started and led a big project called the Natural Environment Research Council's British Mid-Ocean Ridge Initiative (BRIDGE). This project was a major study by UK scientists to understand how the Earth's crust is formed deep under the oceans.

Awards and Recognition

Joe Cann received many awards for his important work in science.

• In 1984, he was given the degree of ScD.
• In 1990, he received the Murchison Medal from the Geological Society of London. This medal is a high honor for geologists.
• In 1995, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS). This means he is one of the most respected scientists in the United Kingdom.