John Frederick Dewey

Bicentennial Honorary Degree Recipient

Doctor of Laws (honoris causa)

Professor Dewey has made outstanding contributions to geoscience, internationally changing the perception of earth scientists who view the continents that form the Earth. His scientific leadership provided a clearer understanding of the tectonic evolution of the basins along the Atlantic Margin.

Dewey received his Bachelor of Science with First Class Honours from Queen Mary College in 1958 and his PhD from Imperial College in 1960 studying the geology of Western Ireland. He spent many days in the field and credits the study of rocks at outcrop to providing him with the skills to develop concepts of global tectonics.

His cv lists many awards and accolades, many of which recognize the top geoscientists in the world. Dewey has received the Wollaston Medal, the Geological Society’s highest award granted. It is given to geologists who have significant influence through a substantial body of excellent research in either or both 'pure' and 'applied' aspects of the science. Another is The Lyell Medal, which the Geological Society awards to earth scientists of exceptional quality. The Penrose Medal of the Geological Society of America was awarded to Dewey in recognition of his eminent research in pure geology and for his outstanding original contributions that marked a major advance in the science of geology. Dewey is a member of the Royal Society of London and the US National Academy of Sciences. He has been awarded honorary degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and the National University of Ireland.