Henry C. Gunning
Encyclopedia
Henry Cecil Gunning, FRSC
(September 9, 1901 – 1991) was a Canadian geologist
and academic
. A mineral
was named in his honour.
, Northern Ireland
. At the age of six his family moved to Vancouver
, British Columbia
. His father established a hardware business there.
Gunning earned a B.A.Sc.
in Geology in 1923 from the University of British Columbia
. While at university he played on the rugby and soccer teams. After graduating he worked one summer as a contract miner in Stewart, British Columbia
, before moving to Cambridge, Massachusetts
to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
. By 1927 Gunning had earned his PhD
. In 1928, he married Edith Frances Fitts.
. He also surveyed part of Quebec
.
In 1939, he began his academic career with the University of British Columbia. As Head of the Department of Geology and Geography he both taught and performed research. In 1953, Gunning was promoted to the position of Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science. While he was Dean he initiated the creation of a Geological Engineering Program. He surrendered that position in 1959 to travel to Rhodesia
, Africa
and conduct research.
Dr. Gunning returned to Vancouver to practice private consulting and also to establish an engineering program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology
.
Royal Society of Canada
The Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
(September 9, 1901 – 1991) was a Canadian geologist
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...
and academic
Academia
Academia is the community of students and scholars engaged in higher education and research.-Etymology:The word comes from the akademeia in ancient Greece. Outside the city walls of Athens, the gymnasium was made famous by Plato as a center of learning...
. A mineral
Mineral
A mineral is a naturally occurring solid chemical substance formed through biogeochemical processes, having characteristic chemical composition, highly ordered atomic structure, and specific physical properties. By comparison, a rock is an aggregate of minerals and/or mineraloids and does not...
was named in his honour.
Early life
Gunning was born in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
, Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. At the age of six his family moved to Vancouver
Vancouver
Vancouver is a coastal seaport city on the mainland of British Columbia, Canada. It is the hub of Greater Vancouver, which, with over 2.3 million residents, is the third most populous metropolitan area in the country,...
, British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
. His father established a hardware business there.
Gunning earned a B.A.Sc.
Applied science
Applied science is the application of scientific knowledge transferred into a physical environment. Examples include testing a theoretical model through the use of formal science or solving a practical problem through the use of natural science....
in Geology in 1923 from the University of British Columbia
University of British Columbia
The University of British Columbia is a public research university. UBC’s two main campuses are situated in Vancouver and in Kelowna in the Okanagan Valley...
. While at university he played on the rugby and soccer teams. After graduating he worked one summer as a contract miner in Stewart, British Columbia
Stewart, British Columbia
Stewart is a small town, incorporated as a district municipality at the head of the Portland Canal in northwestern British Columbia, Canada. In 2006, its population was about 496.-History:...
, before moving to Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cambridge is a city in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, in the Greater Boston area. It was named in honor of the University of Cambridge in England, an important center of the Puritan theology embraced by the town's founders. Cambridge is home to two of the world's most prominent...
to study at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. MIT has five schools and one college, containing a total of 32 academic departments, with a strong emphasis on scientific and technological education and research.Founded in 1861 in...
. By 1927 Gunning had earned his PhD
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
. In 1928, he married Edith Frances Fitts.
Career
After school, Dr. Gunning started working with the Geological Survey of Canada. He concentrated on survey in the geology and mineral deposits of British Columbia, with a focus on Vancouver IslandVancouver Island
Vancouver Island is a large island in British Columbia, Canada. It is one of several North American locations named after George Vancouver, the British Royal Navy officer who explored the Pacific Northwest coast of North America between 1791 and 1794...
. He also surveyed part of Quebec
Quebec
Quebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
.
In 1939, he began his academic career with the University of British Columbia. As Head of the Department of Geology and Geography he both taught and performed research. In 1953, Gunning was promoted to the position of Dean of the Faculty of Applied Science. While he was Dean he initiated the creation of a Geological Engineering Program. He surrendered that position in 1959 to travel to Rhodesia
Rhodesia
Rhodesia , officially the Republic of Rhodesia from 1970, was an unrecognised state located in southern Africa that existed between 1965 and 1979 following its Unilateral Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom on 11 November 1965...
, Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
and conduct research.
Dr. Gunning returned to Vancouver to practice private consulting and also to establish an engineering program at the British Columbia Institute of Technology
British Columbia Institute of Technology
The British Columbia Institute of Technology , is a public, coeducational, academic institution of higher education in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada. The polytechnic has five campuses located in the Metro Vancouver region, with the main campus in Burnaby...
.
Awards and Honours
- 1937, awarded Barlow Memorial MedalBarlow Memorial MedalThe Barlow Memorial Medal was created in 1916 by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum to recognize the best paper on economic geology published by the Institute each year. The medal is named after Alfred Ernest Barlow, who served as President of the Institute between 1912 and...
by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and PetroleumCanadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and PetroleumThe Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum is a technical society of professionals in the Canadian minerals, metals, materials and energy industries. It was founded in 1898. In 2006, the organization had 12,000 national members...
for his paper, Cadillac-Malartic Area, Quebec - 1956, awarded an Honorary Doctor of Science Degree from UBC
- 1966, awarded Logan MedalLogan MedalThe Logan Medal is the highest award of the Geological Association of Canada. Named after Sir William Edmond Logan, noted 19th century Canadian geologist. It is presented annually to an individual for sustained distinguished achievement in Canadian earth science.-References:*...
from the Geological Association of CanadaGeological Association of CanadaThe Geological Association of Canada promotes and develops the geological sciences in Canada. The organization holds conferences, meetings and exhibitions for the discussion of geological problems and the exchange of views in matters related to geology... - made a Fellow of the Royal Society of CanadaRoyal Society of CanadaThe Royal Society of Canada , may also operate under the more descriptive name RSC: The Academies of Arts, Humanities and Sciences of Canada , is the oldest association of scientists and scholars in Canada...
- Mineral named in his honour, GunningiteGunningiteGunningite is one of the minerals in the Kieserite group. Its chemical formula is SO4·H2O. Its name honours Henry Cecil Gunning of the Geological Survey of Canada and a Professor at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada....
Often cited papers
- Gunning, H.C. (1930): Geology and Mineral Deposits of Quatsino-Nimpkish Area, Vancouver Island, British Columbia; in Summary Report 1929; Geological Survey of Canada, Part A, pages 94A-143A.
- Gunning, H.C. (1932): Preliminary Report on the Nimpkish Lake Quadrangle, Vancouver Island, British Columbia; in Summary Report 1931; Geological Survey of Canada, Part A, pages 22-35.