Walter A. Bell | |
---|---|
Born |
St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada |
January 4, 1889
Died | 1969 Pictou County, Nova Scotia, Canada |
Residence | Canada |
Citizenship | Canadian |
Fields | Geologist |
Institutions | Geological Survey of Canada |
Alma mater |
Queen's University Yale University |
Known for | Carboniferous stratigraphy Paleobotany Paleontology |
Notable awards | Logan Medal (1965) |
Author abbrev. (botany) | W.A.Bell |
Walter Andrew Bell (January 4, 1889 – 1969) was a Canadian geologist. He worked for the Geological Survey of Canada for over 40 years and authored or co-authored 70 publications. Most of them concerning Carboniferous stratigraphy, paleobotany and paleontology of Atlantic Canada. He also contributed significantly to central and western Canadian Mesozoic and Cenozoic paleobotany. His work provided support for the theory of continental drift.
Bell was born to Scottish Presbyterian parents in St. Thomas, Ontario. He attended Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, where he specialized in Geological Engineering. In 1911, he obtained a MSc in Geology from Yale University.
In 1911, Bell began his work with the Geological Survey of Canada examining the Carboniferous plants of Joggins near the Bay of Fundy. His scientific work was interrupted by World War I. From 1916 to 1919, he served with the Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery and fought at Ypres, Vimy and Arras. After the war, Bell stayed in England for several months independently examining British fossils before returning to his studies at Yale. In 1920, he received his PhD with distinction.