William Embry Wrather

William Embry Wrather (January 20, 1883 – November 28, 1963) was an American petroleum and economic geologist who served in various administrative roles including as the sixth director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). He was awarded the John Fritz Medal in 1954.

Personal life and education William Embry Wrather was born on January 20, 1883, on a farm near Brandenburg in Meade County, Kentucky. He was the only son of Glovy Washington Wrather and Richard Anslem Wrather. In 1898, William moved to Chicago, Illinois, where he attended South Chicago High School, lived with his uncle, and worked at his grocery store. William began studying law at the University of Chicago in 1903, though professor Rollin D. Salisbury encouraged him to pursue science. Wrather graduated with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree 1907 or 1908. In 1910, he married Alice Mildred Dolling, whom he had met in college.

Wrather also explored other opportunities soon after his graduation. Professor Salisbury had encouraged him to become a geology professor, but the pay was not attractive. Wrather personally wished to return to the USGS, but alas there were no appealing opportunities. Because the automotive industry was flourishing, jobs opened up in the petroleum business. Wrather moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma and did clerical work, but soon found a job as a scout for the Beaumont, Texas–based J. M. Guffey Petroleum Company (later to become part of Gulf Oil). He resigned in 1916 to pursue further opportunities, which included starting a petroleum geology consulting firm in Dallas. In 1918, Wrather suggested to a client that drilling be commenced at Desdemona in Comanche County, Texas. The well proved successful, and Wrather received $750 thousand for his contributions to the discovery. He became a fellow of the Geological Society of America in 1923, and served as the society's vice president in 1936. and of the Texas State Historical Association for seven years in the 1930s. During this time period, Wrather held additional roles in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (treasurer, 1941–1943) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (elected fellow 1925; treasurer, 1941–1945). At the time, he was the only director other than Clarence King (the first director) who had been appointed to the position while not employed by the agency.

Professional service and memberships 1918: Secretary-treasurer, American Association of Petroleum Geologists 1921: President, American Association of Petroleum Geologists 1923: Fellow, Geological Society of America 1925: Fellow, American Association for the Advancement of Science 1932–1939: President, Texas State Historical Association 1934: President, Society of Economic Geologists 1936: Vice-president, Geological Society of America 1941–1943: Treasurer, American Academy of Arts and Sciences 1941–1945: Treasurer, American Association for the Advancement of Science 1943–1956: Director, U.S. Geological Survey 1948: President, American Institute of Mining Engineers Lines in italics indicate election to a society.

Awards and honors 1941: Alumni Medal, University of Chicago 1945: Honorary Doctor of Science, Southern Methodist University 1947: Honorary Degree, Colorado School of Mines 1950: Honorary Doctor of Science, University of Kentucky 1952: Honorary Doctor of Science, Montana School of Mines 1956: Sidney Powers Memorial Award, American Association of Petroleum Geologists 1950: Anthony F. Lucas Gold Medal, American Institute of Mining Engineers 1960: Honorary Membership, American Institute of Mining Engineers