Vincent Ellis McKelvey
Encyclopedia
Vincent Ellis McKelvey was an American geologist
. He was married to Genevieve Bowman McKelvey. They had one son, Gregory McKelvey of Spokane, Washington. Dr. McKelvey was an earth scientist who spent 46 years with the United States Geological Survey
. Dr. McKelvey was recognized as an international authority on deep-sea mineral deposits. From 1968 to 1982, he served as scientific adviser and senior deputy to the United States delegation to the Law of the Sea
Conference of the United Nations
, where fellow delegates often depended on his ability to render complex scientific issues into plain English.
He joined the Geological Survey, a branch of the Department of the Interior, in 1941. He was placed in charge of its explorations for uranium
after World War II
, was assistant chief geologist for economic and foreign geology by 1962 and was named senior research geologist three years later.
Dr. McKelvey was named chief geologist of the Geological Survey in 1971 shortly before he became its ninth director, a post he held through 1977.
became Under Secretary of the Interior, Chief Geologist Vincent E. McKelvey, a career scientist with the Survey since 1941, became Director. McKelvey, a graduate of Syracuse University with a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, had served in several research and administrative capacities in the Geological Survey. He was internationally known for his studies of phosphates, had headed the Survey's program of exploration and research for the Atomic Energy Commission
for several years, had been deeply involved in sometimes controversial estimates of long-range energy and mineral-resource needs, and had most recently been engaged in studies of seabed resources.
McKelvey's term as Director was marked by an increase in multidisciplinary studies and in the diversity and complexity of Geological Survey operations, as well as an increased effort to make scientific information acquired through years of research available in a form most easily used in the solution of such contemporary problems. In 1973, the Geological Survey moved its National Headquarters from downtown Washington to a new building designed expressly for its needs in Reston, Virginia
. It took on primary responsibility for operational research in seismology
and geomagnetism by agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
, and 10 units of NOAA were transferred to the Geological Survey.
In 1976, Congress transferred jurisdiction of the Petroleum Reserve in Alaska from the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Interior, effective June 1, 1977. Responsibility for administration of the continuing petroleum exploration program on the Reserve and operation of the South Barrow
Gas Field was delegated to the Director of the Survey. The new activity brought with it a 50-percent increase in funds, but most of the increase was for contractual services.
In September 1977, Secretary of the Interior Cecil Andrus announced that he had accepted McKelvey's resignation as Director but that McKelvey would remain with the Survey as a research scientist. From 1978 until his death, Dr. McKelvey continued to work as senior research geologist for the Geological Survey and also taught at the Florida Institute of Technology
during the early 1980s.
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...
. He was married to Genevieve Bowman McKelvey. They had one son, Gregory McKelvey of Spokane, Washington. Dr. McKelvey was an earth scientist who spent 46 years with the United States Geological Survey
United States Geological Survey
The United States Geological Survey is a scientific agency of the United States government. The scientists of the USGS study the landscape of the United States, its natural resources, and the natural hazards that threaten it. The organization has four major science disciplines, concerning biology,...
. Dr. McKelvey was recognized as an international authority on deep-sea mineral deposits. From 1968 to 1982, he served as scientific adviser and senior deputy to the United States delegation to the Law of the Sea
Law of the sea
Law of the sea may refer to:* United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea* Admiralty law* The Custom of the Sea...
Conference of the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, where fellow delegates often depended on his ability to render complex scientific issues into plain English.
He joined the Geological Survey, a branch of the Department of the Interior, in 1941. He was placed in charge of its explorations for uranium
Uranium
Uranium is a silvery-white metallic chemical element in the actinide series of the periodic table, with atomic number 92. It is assigned the chemical symbol U. A uranium atom has 92 protons and 92 electrons, of which 6 are valence electrons...
after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, was assistant chief geologist for economic and foreign geology by 1962 and was named senior research geologist three years later.
Dr. McKelvey was named chief geologist of the Geological Survey in 1971 shortly before he became its ninth director, a post he held through 1977.
USGS career
In 1971, after William Thomas PecoraWilliam Thomas Pecora
-Life and career:Willam Thomas Pecora was born on February 1, 1913, in Belleville, New Jersey, son of Cono and Anna Pecora. Both parents were born in southern Italy, in the village of Sant'Arsenio. Pecora as the ninth of 10 children, four boys and six girls. His family was in the wholesale import...
became Under Secretary of the Interior, Chief Geologist Vincent E. McKelvey, a career scientist with the Survey since 1941, became Director. McKelvey, a graduate of Syracuse University with a doctorate from the University of Wisconsin, had served in several research and administrative capacities in the Geological Survey. He was internationally known for his studies of phosphates, had headed the Survey's program of exploration and research for the Atomic Energy Commission
United States Atomic Energy Commission
The United States Atomic Energy Commission was an agency of the United States government established after World War II by Congress to foster and control the peace time development of atomic science and technology. President Harry S...
for several years, had been deeply involved in sometimes controversial estimates of long-range energy and mineral-resource needs, and had most recently been engaged in studies of seabed resources.
McKelvey's term as Director was marked by an increase in multidisciplinary studies and in the diversity and complexity of Geological Survey operations, as well as an increased effort to make scientific information acquired through years of research available in a form most easily used in the solution of such contemporary problems. In 1973, the Geological Survey moved its National Headquarters from downtown Washington to a new building designed expressly for its needs in Reston, Virginia
Reston, Virginia
Reston is a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States, within the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. The population was 58,404, at the 2010 Census and 56,407 at the 2000 census...
. It took on primary responsibility for operational research in seismology
Seismology
Seismology is the scientific study of earthquakes and the propagation of elastic waves through the Earth or through other planet-like bodies. The field also includes studies of earthquake effects, such as tsunamis as well as diverse seismic sources such as volcanic, tectonic, oceanic,...
and geomagnetism by agreement with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration , pronounced , like "noah", is a scientific agency within the United States Department of Commerce focused on the conditions of the oceans and the atmosphere...
, and 10 units of NOAA were transferred to the Geological Survey.
In 1976, Congress transferred jurisdiction of the Petroleum Reserve in Alaska from the Department of the Navy to the Department of the Interior, effective June 1, 1977. Responsibility for administration of the continuing petroleum exploration program on the Reserve and operation of the South Barrow
South Barrow
South Barrow is a village and civil parish approximately north of Sparkford and north-east of Ilchester in the South Somerset district of Somerset, England.-History:...
Gas Field was delegated to the Director of the Survey. The new activity brought with it a 50-percent increase in funds, but most of the increase was for contractual services.
In September 1977, Secretary of the Interior Cecil Andrus announced that he had accepted McKelvey's resignation as Director but that McKelvey would remain with the Survey as a research scientist. From 1978 until his death, Dr. McKelvey continued to work as senior research geologist for the Geological Survey and also taught at the Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology
Florida Institute of Technology, also known as Florida Tech, is an independent private technical research university located in Melbourne, Florida, United States. Founded in 1958 as Brevard Engineering College, the institute has been known by its present name since 1966. Florida Tech's curriculum...
during the early 1980s.
Awards and honors
- 1963 - Distinguished Service Award, Department of the Interior
- 1972 - Career Service Award from the National Civil Service League
- 1973 - Rockefeller Public Service Award
- 1975 - Honorary Degree - Syracuse UniversitySyracuse UniversitySyracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
- 1977 - Special Award for Meritorious Service from the American Association of Petroleum GeologistsAmerican Association of Petroleum GeologistsThe American Association of Petroleum Geologists is one of the world's largest professional geological societies with over 31,000 members as of 2007. The AAPG works to advance the science of geology , to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct...
- 1977 - Distinguished Public Service Award from the Rocky Mountain Association of Geologists
- 1978 - 6,680-foot-high peak in the Thiel MountainsThiel MountainsThe Thiel Mountains are an isolated, mainly snow-capped mountain range in Antarctica which are long. The mountains are located roughly between the Horlick Mountains and the Pensacola Mountains, and extend from Moulton Escarpment on the west to Nolan Pillar on the east. Major components include...
of Antarctica was named for him by the Interior Department's Board on Geographic namesUnited States Board on Geographic NamesThe United States Board on Geographic Names is a United States federal body whose purpose is to establish and maintain uniform usage of geographic names throughout the U.S. government.-Overview:... - 1979 - Human Needs Award from the American Association of Petroleum GeologistsAmerican Association of Petroleum GeologistsThe American Association of Petroleum Geologists is one of the world's largest professional geological societies with over 31,000 members as of 2007. The AAPG works to advance the science of geology , to promote technology, and to inspire high professional conduct...
- Honorary Degree - South Dakota School of Mines and TechnologySouth Dakota School of Mines and TechnologyThe South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is a public institution of higher learning in Rapid City, South Dakota governed by the South Dakota Board of Regents. Founded in 1885 as the Dakota School of Mines, Tech offers degree programs in engineering and science fields. 2,354 students were...
- There is an annual scientific symposium in his honor, the V.E. McKelvey Forum on Mineral and Energy Resources
- A building on the Menlo Park, CaliforniaMenlo Park, CaliforniaMenlo Park, California is a city at the eastern edge of San Mateo County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, in the United States. It is bordered by San Francisco Bay on the north and east; East Palo Alto, Palo Alto, and Stanford to the south; Atherton, North Fair Oaks, and Redwood City...
campus of the USGS is named in his honor
Publications
- "Subsea mineral resources" US Geological Survey bulletin No. 1689-A (1986)
- McKelvey, V. E. and Nancy A. Wright and Roger W. Bowen, "Analysis of the world distribution of metal-rich subsea manganese nodules" US Geological Survey Circular No. 886, 1983.
- "Investigations needed to stimulate the development of Jordan's mineral resources" US Geological Survey Open-file Report No. 79-1569. 1979
- "The collected speeches of Dr. V. E. McKelvey, Director, U.S. Geological Survey, 1971-1977" US Geological Survey, 1978
- "The oceans : the national and international policy frontier" Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, 1976.
- "Subsea mineral resources and problems related to their development" US Geological Survey Circular No. 619, 1969.
- "Search for uranium in the United States" US Geological Survey and the US Atomic Energy Commission. Trace elements investigations report No. 476, 1954
- "Search for uranium in the United States" US Geological Survey bulletin No. 1030-A, 1955
- "Search for uranium in western United States" US Geological Survey and the US Atomic Energy Commission. Trace elements investigations report No. 199, 1953
External links
- Portrait of Vincent McKelvey from U.S. Geological Survey Museum Collection
- Two photographs of Vincent E. McKelvey from U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library (Portraits Collection)
- Photograph of Vincent E. McKelvey from U.S. Geological Survey History (USGS: A New Age Begins)
