William Whitaker (geologist)

William Whitaker
File:Presidential Address to the Geological Society 1900.jpeg
Born	4 May 1836 London
Died	15 January 1925 Croydon
Nationality	British
Fields	Geologist
Alma mater	University College, London
Known for	Hydrogeology
Notable awards	Murchison Medal (1886) Prestwich Medal (1906) Wollaston Medal (1923)
Spouse	Mary Whitaker (Nee Keogh)

William Whitaker was born on 4 May 1836 in London,

Early life

He was educated at St Albans School and University College, London, where he gained a degree in chemistry in 1855.

Career

He became a geologist, specializing initially in water surveying and mapping. His thorough research, wide knowledge, and his numerous publications, especially his The Geology of London and of Part of the Thames Valley (1889) has led some to call him “the father of English hydrogeology”. He retired in 1896 but continued to work as a water engineer.

Honours

He was elected fellow of the Geological Society in 1859, and FRS in 1883. He was president of numerous societies, including both the Geologists’ Association and the Geological Society, and was a recipient of the latter’s Murchison Medal in 1886 and Wollaston Medal in 1923. He died in Croydon, Surrey on 15 January 1925,.

Further reading

Oxford Dictionary of National Bibliography

References

• Entry in Who's Who
• W. H. George: entry in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography