Nelson Horatio Darton
Nelson Horatio Darton | |
|---|---|
Darton in about 1895 | |
| Born | December 17, 1865 |
| Died | February 28, 1948 (aged 82) |
| Nationality | American |
| Alma mater | California Institute of Technology and Harvard University |
| Awards | Penrose Medal (1940) |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Marine Geology |
| Institutions | US Geological Survey |
Nelson Horatio Darton (December 17, 1865 – February 28, 1948) was a geologist who worked for the United States Geological Survey. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, started working in his uncle's drug business at thirteen years old, and becoming a practicing chemist. His interest in geology started as a sideline, and he was hired by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1886.
Darton was an expert at geological photography, a noted geological map maker, and a hydrogeologist. He was awarded the Penrose Medal in 1940. He also made some important paleontological discoveries.
He retired in 1936 at the age of 71 but was allowed to keep his office at the USGS, and he continued an active geological career with a focus on the geology of the Washington DC area. He produced more than 200 publications and received many honors and awards. Three weeks before he died in 1948, he was still coming daily to the USGS and gave a lecture to the Geological Society of Washington on the geology of the DC area.