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Gateshead Council commemorate Arthur Holmes

(10 October 2005)

One of the father figures of modern earth sciences has been commemorated by the North East borough where he was born.

Arthur Holmes (1890-1965), founder of what was to become the Department of Earth Sciences in the University of Durham, was one of the 20th century’s greatest earth scientists. A pioneer in many fields, he was the first to demonstrate that the Earth was thousands, not tens, of millions of years old, and he taught continental drift theory to his students decades before it became accepted doctrine. He also wrote what is undoubtedly the most popular and influential geology textbook of all time – Principles of Physical Geology.

As a boy, Holmes attended Gateshead Grammar School and lived at 19 Primrose Hill, Gateshead. As a result, Gateshead Council have erected a blue plaque on the house to commemorate him. This was unveiled by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor Joe Mitchinson, on 20th September 2005, 40 years to the day since Holmes died. Also in attendance were Cherry Lewis, who has written the definitive biography of Holmes and his life, Professsor Bob Holdsworth, current Head of the Department of Earth Sciences in Durham, and Susan Nicholson, who owns 19 Primrose Hill.

Cherry Lewis’ excellent biography of Holmes The Dating Game: one man’s search for the age of the Earth (CUP) can be purchased from all the usual outlets for £12.99.