Charles Cotton (geologist)
Encyclopedia
Sir Charles Andrew Cotton KBE
(b. Dunedin
, 1885; d. 1970) was a New Zealand
geologist
and geomorphologist. Cotton attended highschool in Christchurch at Christchurch Boys' High School
, where he lost the sight in his left eye because of a schoolmate's prank. In 1908 Cotton graduated from the University of Otago
with an MSc, with first-class honours in geology. Cotton was then director of the Coromandel School of Mines from 1908 to 1909, and geology lecturer Victoria University College
from 1909 to 1920, when he was appointed to the newly created chair of geology. He retired in 1953.
Cotton was a leading New Zealand scientist
, and became an international authority on geomorphology through the publication of his books and papers, the most notable of which include Geomorphology of New Zealand (1922), Landscape (1941), Geomorphology (1942), Climatic Accidents in Landscape Making (1942), Volcanoes as Landscape Forms (1944), The Earth Beneath (1945), Living on a Planet (1945), and New Zealand Geomorphology (1955).
Cotton's work became the inspiration for much of Colin McCahon
's landscape painting.
Victoria University of Wellington
has named a building Cotton. The building on the Kelburn campus contains a low-rise block with science departments, a group of lecture theatres and laboratories and Cotton Street an enclosed concourse with shops and displays
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(b. Dunedin
Dunedin
Dunedin is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand, and the principal city of the Otago Region. It is considered to be one of the four main urban centres of New Zealand for historic, cultural, and geographic reasons. Dunedin was the largest city by territorial land area until...
, 1885; d. 1970) was a New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
geologist
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...
and geomorphologist. Cotton attended highschool in Christchurch at Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Boys' High School
Christchurch Boys' High School is a single sex state secondary school in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is situated on a 12 hectare site between the suburbs of Riccarton and Fendalton, 4 kilometres to the west of central Christchurch. The school also provides boarding facilities for 130 boys, in a...
, where he lost the sight in his left eye because of a schoolmate's prank. In 1908 Cotton graduated from the University of Otago
University of Otago
The University of Otago in Dunedin is New Zealand's oldest university with over 22,000 students enrolled during 2010.The university has New Zealand's highest average research quality and in New Zealand is second only to the University of Auckland in the number of A rated academic researchers it...
with an MSc, with first-class honours in geology. Cotton was then director of the Coromandel School of Mines from 1908 to 1909, and geology lecturer Victoria University College
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
from 1909 to 1920, when he was appointed to the newly created chair of geology. He retired in 1953.
Cotton was a leading New Zealand scientist
Scientist
A scientist in a broad sense is one engaging in a systematic activity to acquire knowledge. In a more restricted sense, a scientist is an individual who uses the scientific method. The person may be an expert in one or more areas of science. This article focuses on the more restricted use of the word...
, and became an international authority on geomorphology through the publication of his books and papers, the most notable of which include Geomorphology of New Zealand (1922), Landscape (1941), Geomorphology (1942), Climatic Accidents in Landscape Making (1942), Volcanoes as Landscape Forms (1944), The Earth Beneath (1945), Living on a Planet (1945), and New Zealand Geomorphology (1955).
Cotton's work became the inspiration for much of Colin McCahon
Colin McCahon
Colin John McCahon was a prominent New Zealand artist. During his life he also worked in art galleries and as a university lecturer...
's landscape painting.
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
has named a building Cotton. The building on the Kelburn campus contains a low-rise block with science departments, a group of lecture theatres and laboratories and Cotton Street an enclosed concourse with shops and displays