Moore, Raymond C. (Raymond Cecil), 1892-1974

Raymond C. Moore was a researcher, teacher, science administrator, and "Kansas' All-time Geologist." Moore was born February 20, 1892 in Roslyn, Washington. He grew up in the Midwest, finished high school in Chicago and was graduated with honors from Denison University, Granville, Ohio in 1913; he continued his graduate studies in geology and paleontology at the University of Chicago. In 1916, Moore received his Ph.D., summa cum laude. Later that year, Moore joined the faculty of the University of Kansas in the Department of Geology. Moore received his full professorship in 1919 and in 1920 he assumed the responsibility of Chairman of the Department of Geology, a position he retained until 1939. In addition, Moore was Director and State Geologist of the Kansas State Geological Survey from 1916 until 1945. In 1948, he organized the production of the "Treatise on Invertebrate Paleontology": under his direction, over 250 leading specialists from 18 countries have participated in this definitive work, which received over one-half million dollars support from the National Science Foundation and the Geological Society of America; the project occupied much of his time after his retirement.

In 1949, Moore served as a consultant to General Douglas MacArthur with the primary duties of studying coal reserves and geology in three of the major islands of Japan. He held many distinguished professorships and traveled to 78 American universities to lecture on petroleum, regional and structural geology, physiography, stratigraphy, and invertebrate paleontology. Moore authored over 300 publications and received numerous international awards. In 1956 he received the coveted Prix Paul Fourmarier (gold medal) of the Academie Royle de Belgique, presented triennally for high distinction in geologic studies of Continental Europe. Moore also received the William H. Twenhofel award which was presented in Anaheim, California by the Society of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists. Twenhofel was a former student of Moore's. In February 1973, the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate acted to "Recognize with honor its adopted son, Dr. Raymond C. Moore." This recognition followed the commemoration of the new Kansas Geological Survey building in Moore's name. In the final years of his life, Life Magazine had termed him "one of the brightest minds in the world."

From the guide to the Personal Papers of Raymond C. Moore, 1915-1974, (University of Kansas Kenneth Spencer Research Library University Archives)