Maurice Tucker
Encyclopedia
Maurice Edwin Tucker is a leading British
sedimentologist, specialising in the field of carbonate
sedimentology
, more commonly known as limestones. Since 1993, he has held the position of Professor
of Geological Sciences at the University of Durham
, and since 1998 he has been Master
of University College, Durham
.
in geology
from the University of Durham
(University College, Durham
) in 1968. This was followed by a Ph.D in sedimentology from the University of Reading
in 1971.
and Cardiff University
, he moved to Newcastle University in 1975. In 1982 he was appointed lecturer
in geology
at Durham University
and became Reader
in 1988. He was made a professor
in 1993.
Tucker's research interests focus on the properties of sedimentary rocks, particularly limestones, their formation and usefulness as an oil reservoir
. He has written or edited more than eight books, including the standard undergraduate text Sedimentary Petrology, and Carbonate Sedimentology.
He has served as President of the International Association of Sedimentologists and was awarded the prestigious Coke Medal of the Geological Society of London
in 1994. He has also acted as the external examiner for the Earth Sciences degree at Oxford University.
In addition, he has served as Staff Treasurer for the Assassins' Guild
of the University of Durham since the end of the 1990s.
from 1998 to 2011, and in the last formal of the Easter Term 2010 his portrait by Andrew Ratcliffe was unveiled, to be hung in the Great Hall. The portrait features a fossil
that he found at the age of 7 in the family back garden at Newbury Park, which began his fascination with geology
. As an undergraduate student he himself was a member of the college between 1965-1968. He was awarded college colours for representing Castle at table tennis
. He is well acquainted with the traditions of the students within the college, and is highly respected by Castlemen, with many of his youthful escapades spoken of as myth within college. In the Epiphany term of 2009 he took part in the Lumley
Run, never having completed it as a student, completing it in 1 hour 22 minutes. While Master, he inhabited the entirety of the large house at the base of the Keep, along with his wife - regularly entertaining students in his garden in the summer months. He was known as being a staunch supporter of the JCR and MCR, and maintained a strong involvement with them. On the occasion of his retirement in the summer of 2011, the MCR renamed their common room (previously the William St Calais room) the Maurice E Tucker room in his honour.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
sedimentologist, specialising in the field of carbonate
Carbonate
In chemistry, a carbonate is a salt of carbonic acid, characterized by the presence of the carbonate ion, . The name may also mean an ester of carbonic acid, an organic compound containing the carbonate group C2....
sedimentology
Sedimentology
Sedimentology encompasses the study of modern sediments such as sand, mud , and clay, and the processes that result in their deposition. Sedimentologists apply their understanding of modern processes to interpret geologic history through observations of sedimentary rocks and sedimentary...
, more commonly known as limestones. Since 1993, he has held the position of Professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
of Geological Sciences at the University of Durham
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
, and since 1998 he has been Master
Head teacher
A head teacher or school principal is the most senior teacher, leader and manager of a school....
of University College, Durham
University College, Durham
University College, commonly known as Castle, is a college of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle on Palace Green, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body...
.
Education
Tucker graduated with a First Class Honours degreeAcademic degree
An academic degree is a position and title within a college or university that is usually awarded in recognition of the recipient having either satisfactorily completed a prescribed course of study or having conducted a scholarly endeavour deemed worthy of his or her admission to the degree...
in 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...
from the University of Durham
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
(University College, Durham
University College, Durham
University College, commonly known as Castle, is a college of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle on Palace Green, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body...
) in 1968. This was followed by a Ph.D in sedimentology from the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
in 1971.
Career
Following lecturerships at the University of Sierra LeoneUniversity of Sierra Leone
The University of Sierra Leone is the name of the former unitary public university system in Sierra Leone, which, as of May 2005, was reconstitued into the individual colleges of Fourah Bay College and Njala University. It is now affiliated to many colleges in Sierra Leone.-See also:* Fourah Bay...
and Cardiff University
Cardiff University
Cardiff University is a leading research university located in the Cathays Park area of Cardiff, Wales, United Kingdom. It received its Royal charter in 1883 and is a member of the Russell Group of Universities. The university is consistently recognised as providing high quality research-based...
, he moved to Newcastle University in 1975. In 1982 he was appointed lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
in 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...
at Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
and became Reader
Reader (academic rank)
The title of Reader in the United Kingdom and some universities in the Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand denotes an appointment for a senior academic with a distinguished international reputation in research or scholarship...
in 1988. He was made a professor
Professor
A professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
in 1993.
Tucker's research interests focus on the properties of sedimentary rocks, particularly limestones, their formation and usefulness as an oil reservoir
Oil reservoir
A petroleum reservoir, or oil and gas reservoir, is a subsurface pool of hydrocarbons contained in porous or fractured rock formations. The naturally occurring hydrocarbons, such as crude oil or natural gas, are trapped by overlying rock formations with lower permeability...
. He has written or edited more than eight books, including the standard undergraduate text Sedimentary Petrology, and Carbonate Sedimentology.
He has served as President of the International Association of Sedimentologists and was awarded the prestigious Coke Medal of 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"...
in 1994. He has also acted as the external examiner for the Earth Sciences degree at Oxford University.
In addition, he has served as Staff Treasurer for the Assassins' Guild
Assassin (game)
Assassin is a live-action game...
of the University of Durham since the end of the 1990s.
University College, Durham
Maurice Tucker was Master of University College, DurhamUniversity College, Durham
University College, commonly known as Castle, is a college of the University of Durham in England. Centred around Durham Castle on Palace Green, it was founded in 1832 and is the oldest of Durham's colleges. As with all of Durham's colleges, it is, independently of the University, a listed body...
from 1998 to 2011, and in the last formal of the Easter Term 2010 his portrait by Andrew Ratcliffe was unveiled, to be hung in the Great Hall. The portrait features a fossil
Fossil
Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of animals , plants, and other organisms from the remote past...
that he found at the age of 7 in the family back garden at Newbury Park, which began his fascination with 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...
. As an undergraduate student he himself was a member of the college between 1965-1968. He was awarded college colours for representing Castle at table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
. He is well acquainted with the traditions of the students within the college, and is highly respected by Castlemen, with many of his youthful escapades spoken of as myth within college. In the Epiphany term of 2009 he took part in the Lumley
Lumley Castle
Lumley Castle is a 14th century quadrangular castle at Chester-le-Street in the North of England, near to the city of Durham and a property of the Earl of Scarbrough. It is a Grade I listed building.-History:...
Run, never having completed it as a student, completing it in 1 hour 22 minutes. While Master, he inhabited the entirety of the large house at the base of the Keep, along with his wife - regularly entertaining students in his garden in the summer months. He was known as being a staunch supporter of the JCR and MCR, and maintained a strong involvement with them. On the occasion of his retirement in the summer of 2011, the MCR renamed their common room (previously the William St Calais room) the Maurice E Tucker room in his honour.