Sir Edward Battersby Bailey FRS[1] (1 July 1881 – 19 March 1965) was an English geologist.
Bailey was born in Marsden, Kent, and educated at Kendal grammar school and Clare College, Cambridge.[2] He gained first-class honours in both parts one and two of the natural sciences tripos.[3] He also won a heavyweight boxing medal while at Cambridge.[3]
From 1915 to 1919 he served with the Royal Garrison Artillery and was twice wounded, losing his left eye and much of the use of his left arm. He was awarded the Military Cross and the French Croix de Guerre with palms. He was also made a chevalier of the Légion d'honneur.[3]
From 1929 to 1937, he held the chair in geology at the University of Glasgow, where he was succeeded by Sir Arthur Elijah Trueman (chair in geology 1937–1946).
He was director of the British Geological Survey from 1937 to 1945.[3]
Elected a fellow of the Royal Society in 1930[1], in 1943 he was awarded its Royal Medal. In 1948 he received the Wollaston Medal of the Geological Society. He was also a foreign member of the national academies of Belgium, India, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States.[3]