Herb Wright

Herbert Edgar Wright Jr. (13 September 1917 – 12 November 2015) was an American Quaternary scientist. His research focused on changes in landscape and environment over the past 100,000 years.

Wright's research interests included arid-region geomorphology and landscape evolution, with a focus on glacial geology and climate history. He studied vegetation development and environmental history, analyzing the timing and mechanisms of climate-driven vegetational shifts in North America during the last 18,000 years. He also researched the role of natural fires in the dynamics of northern coniferous forests, and worked on wilderness conservation and landscape management. His work also covered paleoecology, lake development, paleolimnology, and the history and development of patterned peatlands in Minnesota and other areas in the Northern Hemisphere.

Although his work was concentrated in Minnesota, he also participated in synthesizing global paleoclimatology. Beyond Minnesota and the Great Lakes region, Wright conducted research in other parts of North America, the Near East, Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Antarctica.