Trevor D. Ford

Trevor David Ford (19 April 1925 – 22 February 2017) was an English geologist and author, best known for publishing the first report on the Precambrian fossil Charnia masoni in 1958. In addition to paleontology, his wide-ranging research encompassed geomorphology, speleology, studies of minerals and mineralisation, and mining history, and mainly focused on the Peak District. His academic career was at the Department of Geology of the University of Leicester, where he rose to be a senior lecturer (1980–87) and associate dean for combined studies in science. He was the founding editor of the journal now entitled Cave and Karst Science (1973–93), and published many books, both academic texts and books aimed at a broader audience, including cave guides, and guides to geology and minerals.

Early life and education Trevor Ford was born at Westcliffe-on-Sea, Southend-on-Sea in Essex on 19 April 1925, to Hylda and Ernest Ford, who worked in publishing. The family soon moved north to Ecclesall in Sheffield, where he attended King Edward VII School (1939–41).

During the Second World War he first entered the Royal Air Force (1944), but was reassigned to the Royal Navy owing to impaired vision; there he served as a stores assistant in the Far East (1944–46). After he was demobilised he read geology at the University of Sheffield (1947–49), and then studied for his PhD with Leslie R. Moore as his supervisor; his thesis was entitled The Upper Carboniferous rocks of the Ingleton and Stainmore coalfields (1953). In addition to Moore, he was influenced by William G. Fearnsides, Frederick W. Shotton, Peter C. Sylvester-Bradley and William H. Wilcockson. Ford served as editor of the Journal of the University of Sheffield Geological Society (1951–52). This find gave the earliest clear evidence for the existence of complex macroscopic organisms dating from this era, although Ford's tentative description of the organism as "an algal frond" is now believed to be incorrect. His 1958 article is the earliest report of fossilised Ediacaran biota from this important site. He subsequently made a detailed study of Precambrian rocks and fossils including research on the Grand Canyon. a definitive study of Blue John, as well as numerous cave guides. and editor of the Bulletin of the Peak District Mines Historical Society/Mining History (1965–2000).

Awards, honours and legacy Ford was awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1997 for services to geology and cave science. The Derbyshire Caving Association gave him their "Champion of British Sport" medal (1998). he was also president of the East Midlands Geological Society (1982–85).

The type species of the genus Hylaecullulus was named Hylaecullulus fordi in his honour, and a cave in the Speedwell Cavern system was named for him. Ford T. D. Derbyshire Blue John (Landmark Publishing; 2000) Ford T. The Geology of the Isle of Man (The Geologists' Association; 1993) Ford T. D., Gill D. W. Caves of Derbyshire (Dalesman; 1984) Ford T. D., ed. Limestones and Caves of the Peak District (Geo-Books; 1977) Pamphlets Ford T. Sediments in Caves; BCRA Cave Studies Series 9 (BCRA; 2001) Gunn J., Ford T. Caves and Karst of the Peak District; BCRA Cave Studies Series 3 (BCRA; 1992) Research papers Vidal G., Ford T. D. (1985). Microbiotas from the late proterozoic chuar group (northern Arizona) and uinta mountain group (Utah) and their chronostratigraphic implications. Precambrian Research 28: 349–89 Schopf J. W., Ford T. D., Breed W. J. (1973). Microorganisms from the Late Precambrian of the Grand Canyon, Arizona. Science 179: 1319–21 Ford T. D. (1958). Pre-Cambrian fossils from Charnwood Forest. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, 31: 211–17