| Administrative History | John Baird Simpson (1894-1960) was born in Glenferness near Ardlach, Nairnshire, Scotland, where his father was an estate manager. On graduating with a BSc in Agriculture from the University of Aberdeen in 1914, Simpson enlisted in the Royal Engineers at the outbreak of the First World War. He was later commissioned into the Gordon Highlanders, but during his service in France he was wounded and badly gassed. Returning to civilian life in 1918, Simpson resumed his studies at the University of Aberdeen leaving in 1920 with a BSc in Pure Science, with special distinction in Geology. Later that same year he was appointed to the field staff of the Geological Survey in Scotland, promoted to the rank of Senior Geologist in 1932 and District Geologist in 1945.
The Lyell Medal was awarded to Simpson in 1954 on his retirement from the Survey, in recognition of his contributions to geology through the years. |