William Alexander Deer facts for kids

William Alexander Deer, known as Alex, was a famous British scientist. He was born on October 26, 1910, and passed away on February 8, 2009. Alex Deer was an expert in geology, which is the study of Earth's rocks and history. He also specialized in petrology, the study of rocks, and mineralogy, the study of minerals.

A Life of Science and Leadership

Early Career and War Service

After finishing his PhD in 1937, Alex Deer started teaching at the University of Manchester. When World War II began in 1939, he joined the Royal Engineers. He worked in places like the Middle East, Burma, and North Africa. He rose to the rank of lieutenant-colonel, which is a high military position.

Return to Academia

In 1946, Deer returned to Cambridge University. There, he taught about minerals and rocks. He also became a Fellow at St John's College, Cambridge. In 1950, he became a Professor of Geology at Manchester University. He spent several years there, leading the geology department.

In 1961, Deer returned to Cambridge again. He became the Professor of Mineralogy and Petrology. This was a very important role in his field. Later, he served as the Master of Trinity Hall, Cambridge from 1966 to 1975. He was also the Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge University from 1971 to 1973. This meant he was in charge of the entire university for a time.

Famous Works and Recognition

Alex Deer was well-known for his work studying rocks in Greenland with Lawrence Wager. He also played a huge role in creating a very important set of books. These books are called Rock-Forming Minerals. He edited them with Robert Andrew Howie and Jack Zussman. There is also a shorter version called An Introduction to the Rock-Forming Minerals, often called DHZ.

Because of his important contributions, a new mineral was named after him. It is called deerite. Deer was also made an Honorary Fellow at both St John's College and Trinity Hall in Cambridge.

Exciting Expeditions

Exploring Greenland's Rocks

In 1935 and 1936, Alex Deer joined an expedition to East Greenland. He went as a petrologist, studying rocks, with Lawrence Wager. They spent the winter in Greenland. They lived in a special camp with a central house on the Skaergaard Peninsula. This area is near the entrance to Kangerdlugssuak Fjord.

In 1939, Wager and Deer wrote a report about their findings. Their study of the Skaergaard intrusion was a very important discovery. It helped scientists understand how igneous rocks form.

Journeys to Baffin Island and More

In 1948, Deer led another expedition. This time, he went to the NE Coast of Baffin Island with Chris Brasher. They wanted to see if the volcanic activity in Greenland extended to Baffin Island. However, rough seas made their exploration difficult.

Deer and Wager went back to Kangerdlugssuak in Greenland in 1953. They led a British Greenland Geological Expedition. Five other geologists from Oxford and Manchester Universities joined them.

In 1966, Deer led another British Greenland Geological Expedition. His team carried out drilling and geological surveys in Kangerdlugssuaq. They continued the important work from the earlier expeditions.

Family Life

Alex Deer married Margaret Marjorie Kidd in 1939. Her father was an electrical engineer named William Kidd. Deer's important papers and notes are kept at the Sedgwick Museum Archives at Cambridge University.