Laudation

Arthur Holmes

(By Maurice Ewing, 14 April 1964, The Royal Society, London, England)

The Vetlesen Prize was established in Columbia University by the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation for scientific achievement in a clearer understanding of the Earth, its history, its relation to the universe. This prize gains the distinction through association with the present recipient.

Professor Arthur Holmes has set the pattern for bringing full professional competence in the physical sciences into a career as a geologist. He has made distinguished studies of petrological problems in the field and in the laboratory. He is the pioneer in the field of isotope geology, in the use of radioactive elements for determination of the ages of rocks and of the Earth and in evaluating the efforts of radiogenic heat from the Uranium, Thorium, and Potassium series upon the evolution of the Earth.

His papers, books and teaching have profoundly influenced the thinking of every modern student of the Earth sciences.

His achievements have been widely recognized though award at the ranking models of geological science and by election to the membership in many National and Royal Academies.

Professor Holmes, on behalf of the President and Trustees of Columbia University it is a great privilege for me to hand you the Vetlesen Medal and the check.