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John Tipton Lonsdale John Tipton Lonsdale was born November 8, 1895, in Dale, Iowa. He completed his undergraduate education at the University of Iowa, earning both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree there in 1917 and 1921, respectively. In 1921 he accepted a position as geologist for the Virginia Geological Survey and assistant professor of geology at the University of Virginia, where he continued his graduate education, earning his doctorate in 1924. He then moved to Norman, Oklahoma, becoming an assistant professor of geology at the University of Oklahoma and a geologist for the Oklahoma Geological Survey. In 1925 he joined the Bureau of Economic Geology as a geologist. In 1928, Lonsdale moved to College Station to become a professor and head of the geology department at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now |
Texas A&M University. Lonsdale built the geology program and facilities at College Station, helping design a new geology building on the campus. He also served as geologist for the Missouri Pacific Railroad while at College Station. He moved to Iowa State College in Ames in 1935 to head the geology department and also served as professor of geology there. In 1945, Lonsdale returned to Austin to assume the position of director of the Bureau of Economic Geology and was also appointed a professor of geology with graduate rank. He served on the department’s Budget Council and was charged with recruiting top-notch faculty to the department. Among his scientific contributions, Lonsdale studied the groundwater resources and geology of Big Bend National Park. He also focused his interest on the economic geology of mineral systems. As director of the Bureau he instituted an investigation of the state’s mineral resources, exclusive of oil and gas. Lonsdale was an active member of many honorary and professional societies, such as Sigma Xi and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, among others, and served on many committees of these organizations. He was a fellow of the Geological Society of America, the Mineralogical Society of America, and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. In addition to his contributions as a geologist and teacher, Lonsdale achieved recognition for his military service. He was cited for bravery during his service as a lieutenant in the United States Army from 1917 to 1919. He was active as a reserve officer between World Wars I and II and served in the Army again from 1942 to 1945 as a lieutenant colonel and colonel. Lonsdale was also active in the Austin community, serving in the Austin Rotary Club. He died suddenly of a heart attack October 5, 1960, at his home in Austin. In honor of his military service, his ashes were interred at Arlington National Cemetery. |
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