Nelson Horatio Darton

Who was Nelson Horatio Darton?

Nelson Horatio Darton was a geologist who worked for the United States Geological Survey. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and started working in his uncle's drug business at the age of 13, also becoming a practicing chemist. His interest in geology started as a sideline, and he was hired by the U.S. Geological Survey in 1886.

Darton was an expert at geological photography, a noted geologic map maker, and a hydrogeologist. He was awarded the Penrose Medal in 1940. He also made some important paleontological discoveries.

He retired in 1936 at the age of 71 but was allowed to keep his office at the USGS, and he continued an active geological career with a focus on the geology of the Washington DC area. He produced more than 200 publications and received many honors and awards. Three weeks before he died in 1948, he was still coming daily to the USGS and gave a lecture to the Geological Society of Washington on the geology of the DC area.