Kirtley F. Mather
Encyclopedia
Kirtley Fletcher Mather (1888–1978) was an American
geologist at Harvard University
, and at one time, head of the geology
department. He prepared a deposition for the Scopes "Monkey Trial"
, and helped Clarence Darrow
rehearse his questioning of William Jennings Bryan
.
He was an activist and author, and wrote multiple books on geology and related sciences. In 1937, he co-founded the Institute for Propaganda Analysis
with Edward A. Filene and Clyde R. Miller.
A biography titled Cracking Rocks and Defending Democracy was written by Kennard Baker Bork
, and published in 1994. Bork is an Alumni Professor of Geology at Denison University
, Mather's alma mater
. He also served on the board of trustees for Science Service, now known as Society for Science & the Public
, from 1948-1956.
Mather had at least one daughter Florence Mather who married a fellow Ohioan Dr. Sherman Wengerd who taught petroleum geology
at the University of New Mexico for many years. When Mather retired from Harvard University he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he resided until his death in 1978 at the age of 90.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
geologist at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
, and at one time, head of the geology
Geology
Geology is the science comprising the study of solid Earth, the rocks of which it is composed, and the processes by which it evolves. Geology gives insight into the history of the Earth, as it provides the primary evidence for plate tectonics, the evolutionary history of life, and past climates...
department. He prepared a deposition for the Scopes "Monkey Trial"
Scopes Trial
The Scopes Trial—formally known as The State of Tennessee v. John Thomas Scopes and informally known as the Scopes Monkey Trial—was a landmark American legal case in 1925 in which high school science teacher, John Scopes, was accused of violating Tennessee's Butler Act which made it unlawful to...
, and helped Clarence Darrow
Clarence Darrow
Clarence Seward Darrow was an American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, best known for defending teenage thrill killers Leopold and Loeb in their trial for murdering 14-year-old Robert "Bobby" Franks and defending John T...
rehearse his questioning of William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States...
.
He was an activist and author, and wrote multiple books on geology and related sciences. In 1937, he co-founded the Institute for Propaganda Analysis
Institute for Propaganda Analysis
The Institute for Propaganda Analysis was a U.S.-based organization composed of social scientists, opinion leaders, historians, educators, and journalists. Created in 1937 by Kirtley Mather, Edward A. Filene, and Clyde R. Miller, the IPA formed with the general concern that increased amounts of...
with Edward A. Filene and Clyde R. Miller.
A biography titled Cracking Rocks and Defending Democracy was written by Kennard Baker Bork
Kennard Baker Bork
Kennard Baker Bork is a retired teacher of geology and geography from the United States. He graduated with a BA from DePauw University in 1962 then went on to collect and MA and a PhD from Indiana University...
, and published in 1994. Bork is an Alumni Professor of Geology at Denison University
Denison University
Denison University is private, coeducational, and residential college of liberal arts and sciences founded in 1831. It is located in Granville, Ohio, United States, approximately 30 miles east of Columbus, the state capital...
, Mather's alma mater
Alma mater
Alma mater , pronounced ), was used in ancient Rome as a title for various mother goddesses, especially Ceres or Cybele, and in Christianity for the Virgin Mary.-General term:...
. He also served on the board of trustees for Science Service, now known as Society for Science & the Public
Society for Science & the Public
Society for Science & the Public , formerly known as Science Service, is a 5013 non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of science, through its science education programs and publications, including the weekly Science News magazine.Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the organization...
, from 1948-1956.
Mather had at least one daughter Florence Mather who married a fellow Ohioan Dr. Sherman Wengerd who taught petroleum geology
Petroleum geology
Petroleum geology refers to the specific set of geological disciplines that are applied to the search for hydrocarbons .-Sedimentary basin analysis:...
at the University of New Mexico for many years. When Mather retired from Harvard University he moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico where he resided until his death in 1978 at the age of 90.