T. Wayland Vaughan

Thomas Wayland Vaughan (September 20, 1870 – January 16, 1952) was an American geologist and oceanographer. He worked with the United States Geological Survey and United States National Museum, investigating the geology of the West Indies, Panama Canal Zone, and the eastern coast of North America. In 1924 Vaughan became director of the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and held the post until his retirement in 1936. His research work concentrated on the study of corals and coral reefs, the investigation of larger foraminifera, and oceanography.

Early life and education

Vaughan was one of five children born to Dr. Samuel Floyd Vaughan and Annie R. Hope. He entered Tulane University in 1885 intending to enter the medical profession, but became interested in physical science and graduated with a Bachelor of Science.

From 1889–1892, Vaughan taught physics and chemistry at Mount Lebanon, Louisiana. During this time he published his first papers on the mollusks and trees of northwest Louisiana and began collecting fossils. This led him to study biology at Harvard University, receiving a Bachelor of Arts in 1893, a Master of Arts in 1894, and completing his Ph.D. in 1903 with a thesis titled Eocene and Oligocene Corals of the United States. Before receiving his doctorate, he also worked as an assistant geologist for the United States Geological Survey from 1894 to 1903. Vaughan created programs in physical, chemical, and geological oceanography, augmented the biology program, and expanded the Institution's facilities. and the Penrose Medal. He was elected to the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1917, the United States National Academy of Sciences in 1921, and the American Philosophical Society in 1923.

In the 1930s Vaughan developed an interest in Asian art, learning the Japanese language while in his sixties and becoming a lecturer on Asian art. In 1933 he was given a private audience with Emperor Hirohito and presented with a cloisonné vase, and in 1940 was decorated with the Order of the Rising Sun Third Class.

Selected publications

Corals and the formation of coral reefs, from the Smithsonian Report, 1917, pp189–276. A geological reconnaissance of the Dominican republic, Washington DC, 1921. (With other authors) Studies of American species of Foraminifera of the genus Lepidocyclina; Smithsonian Institution, 1933. International Aspects of Oceanography: Oceanographic Data and Provisions for Oceanographic Research., Mem. Nat. Acad. Sci. (1937).