William King (GSI) facts for kids
William King was an important geologist who lived from about 1834 to 1900. He followed in his father's footsteps, who was also a geologist named William King. Our William King spent most of his career working in India. He helped map the land and understand its rocks and minerals.
Contents
Becoming a Geologist
William King studied civil engineering at Queen's College in Galway, Ireland. He also studied at Queen's University. These studies helped him prepare for a career exploring the Earth.
Joining the Survey Team
On March 4, 1857, William King joined the Geological Survey of India. This was a team of scientists who explored India's geology. They studied rocks, landforms, and natural resources.
Exploring India
King's first job was in southern India. He worked with another geologist named H.F. Blanford. Together, they learned a lot about the region's geology.
Discoveries in Central India
After working in the south, King moved to central India. He also explored the western part of an area called Chota Nagpur. His work helped create detailed maps of these regions. These maps showed where different types of rocks and minerals were located.
Leading the Survey
In 1887, William King became the director of the Geological Survey of India. This was a very important job. He led the entire team from Calcutta (now Kolkata). He helped guide many new discoveries about India's land.
Retirement and Legacy
William King worked for the Geological Survey of India for 37 years. He retired on July 16, 1894, when he was 60 years old. He had served for a long time, helping to build our understanding of India's geology. His work helped future geologists and scientists.
