George Frederick Matthew
Encyclopedia
George Frederick Matthew (August 12, 1837 – April 14, 1923) was a Canadian botanist and geologist
. Described as an amateur geologist, he is nevertheless recognized for his work in the then-nascent field of ichnology
. His work grew from study of Cambro-Ordovician
rocks near his birthplace, leading to the description of new genera and species of ichnofossils. His early interest in geology may have been inspired by local access to the Abraham Gesner
geological collection.
Matthew was the first curator of the Natural History Society of New Brunswick. After Canada's Confederation in 1867, his geological work came to prominence as the Geological Survey of Canada began, and he worked part-time for the survey.
He received honorary doctorates from Laval University and the University of New Brunswick
, and was awarded the Geological Society of London
's Murchison Medal
in 1917.
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
. Described as an amateur geologist, he is nevertheless recognized for his work in the then-nascent field of ichnology
Ichnology
Ichnology is the branch of geology that deals with traces of organismal behavior, such as burrows and footprints. It is generally considered as a branch of paleontology; however, only one division of ichnology, paleoichnology, deals with trace fossils, while neoichnology is the study of modern traces...
. His work grew from study of Cambro-Ordovician
Ordovician
The Ordovician is a geologic period and system, the second of six of the Paleozoic Era, and covers the time between 488.3±1.7 to 443.7±1.5 million years ago . It follows the Cambrian Period and is followed by the Silurian Period...
rocks near his birthplace, leading to the description of new genera and species of ichnofossils. His early interest in geology may have been inspired by local access to the Abraham Gesner
Abraham Pineo Gesner
Abraham Pineo Gesner was a Canadian physician and geologist who invented kerosene. Although Ignacy Łukasiewicz developed the modern kerosene lamp, starting the world's oil industry, Gesner is considered a primary founder. Gesner was born in Cornwallis, Nova Scotia...
geological collection.
Matthew was the first curator of the Natural History Society of New Brunswick. After Canada's Confederation in 1867, his geological work came to prominence as the Geological Survey of Canada began, and he worked part-time for the survey.
He received honorary doctorates from Laval University and the University of New Brunswick
University of New Brunswick
The University of New Brunswick is a Canadian university located in the province of New Brunswick. UNB is the oldest English language university in Canada and among the first public universities in North America. The university has two main campuses: the original campus founded in 1785 in...
, and was awarded the Geological Society of London
Geological Society of London
The Geological Society of London is a learned society based in the United Kingdom with the aim of "investigating the mineral structure of the Earth"...
's Murchison Medal
Murchison Medal
An award established by Roderick Murchison, who died in 1871. One of the closing public acts of Murchison’s life was the founding of a chair of geology and mineralogy in the University of Edinburgh. Under his will there was established the Murchison Medal and geological fund to be awarded annually...
in 1917.
Publications
- 1871. On the surface geology of New Brunswick . 19 pp.
- 1882. Illustrations of the fauna of the St. John group microform. 21 pp. Trans. Royal Soc. Canada. ISBN 0-665-27383-5
- 1894. Post-glacial faults at St. John, N. B.
- 1898. A paleozoic terrain beneath the Cambrian. Ann. NY Academy of Sci., v. 12, Nº 2
- 1903. On batrachian and other footprints from the Coal Measures of Joggins, N.S. Bull. Natural History Soc. New Brunswick 5: 103-108
- 1903. An attempt to classify Palaeozoic batrachian footprints. Proc.Trans. Royal Soc. Canada, 2ª ser. 9(4): 109-121
- 1903. New genera of batrachian footprints of the Carboniferous System in eastern Canada. Canadian Record of Science 9: 99-111
- 1904. Note on the genus Hylopus of Dawson. Bull. Natural History Soc. New Brunswick 5: 247-252
- 1904. New species and a new genus of batrachian footprints of the Carboniferous System in eastern Canada. Proc. Royal Soc. of Canada, 2ª ser. 10 (sect. iv): 77-122
- 1909. Remarkable forms of the Little River Group. Trans. Royal Society of Canada, 3ª ser. 1909-1910, III (sect. iv): 113-133