Richard Foster Flint

Richard Foster Flint (1901-1976), born in Chicago, graduated from the University of Chicago and earned his Ph.D. in geology at the University of California graduating in 1925. He then joined Yale as a member of the faculty, becoming a full professor in 1945.[1]

Flint was recognized for his leadership role in Quaternary period geology with extensive work on effects of glaciations in northeastern America. [1]

He also performed research in Washington State to understand the last ice age’s impact on the Northwest, gaining some notoriety for his opposition to the Missoula Floods hypothesis, which was posed by J Harlen Bretz. He presented a detailed and thoughtful argument against the possibility of catastrophic floods; a position which has subsequently fallen into disfavor based on a wide collection of evidence.[2]

Major publications included:

Awards

In 1972 he was awarded the 'Prestwich Medal', a medal awarded by the Geological Society of London, for significant contributions in the science of Geology.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b "Richard Foster Flint". Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science. http://www.seas.yale.edu/alumni-hall-detail.php?id=26. Retrieved 26 November 2009. 
  2. ^ Baker, Victor R. (Ed.); Nummedal, Dag (Ed.) (1978). The Channeled Scabland: A Guide to the Geomorphology of the Columbia Basin, Washington. Washington, D.C.: Planetary Geology Program, Office of Space Science, National Aeoronautics and Space Administration, Washington, D.C.. pp. 173–177. ISBN 0-88192-590-X. http://fax.libs.uga.edu/J84xNASx1x18xCx36/1f/. 
  3. ^ Preswich Medal Awardees