Arthur Holmes was born in Hebburn-on-Tyne on 14 January 1890. He studied at Imperial College of Science and Technology, London. Holmes explored in Mozambique, 1911-1912 and then became a Demonstrator at Imperial College from 1912 to 1921. He became the Chief Geologist for the Yomah Oil Company, Burma (now Myanmar), 1921 to 1924, and then in 1924 he was appointed Professor of Geology at Durham University. In 1943, Holmes became Professor of Geology at Edinburgh University where he remained until 1956. His publications include The age of the Earth (1913), The nomenclature of petrology (1920), Petrographic methods and calculations (1921), Petrology of the Bufumbira volcanoes (1937), and Principles of physical geology (1944). Professor Arthur Holmes died in Putney on 20 September 1965.
From the guide to the Papers and Medals of Professor Arthur Holmes (1890-1965), 20th century, (Edinburgh University Library)
