Kirk Bryan

Who was Kirk Bryan?

Kirk Bryan was an American geologist on the faculty of Harvard University from 1925 until his death in 1950.

The son of R.W.D. Bryan, Bryan received his undergraduate education at the University of New Mexico and later obtained a Ph.D. from Yale University.

A geomorphologist, he worked primarily in arid regions, and was one of the pioneers in explaining the forces that formed landmasses in those areas.

According to Luna Leopold, one of his students, Bryan was influential as a teacher. In 2004, Leopold wrote:

His students made important advances in a variety of subjects, including alluvial chronology, periglacial and glacial geology, wind action, soil and vegetative effects on landscape development, and archaeology. His influence is indicated by the fact that of the four geologists who have received the National Medal of Science, three were students of Kirk Bryan.

The Geological Society of America's Kirk Bryan Award is named in his honour. It is awarded annually in recognition of a publication of distinction advancing the science of geomorphology or Quaternary geology, which were Bryan's areas of specialization.