Dr. Thomas Leonard Watson, ca. 1907.
(Sketch by Christine Schmiel)

Virginia Geologists:
Thomas Leonard Watson

Thomas Leonard Watson was born in Chatham, Virginia, 1871, and died in Charlottesville, Virginia, 1924.

At the University of Virginia, Dr. Watson was appointed to the William Barton Rogers Chair of Economic Geology in 1907, and to the Chair of the Corcoran and Rogers School of Geology in 1910.

He was appointed State Geologist and Head of the newly reestablished Virginia Geological Survey by the Governor in 1908. He served in all three capacities until his death in 1924.

This article was first posted 2001 by Professor Grant Goodell to the University of Virginia website. The pencil sketch of Dr. Watson was drawn by Christine Schmiel, who was commissioned by the late Dr Richard S. Mitchell, Professor of Geology, University of Virginia. The image was made available by Professor Grant Goodell, University of Virginia.

Reference : Roberts, J. K., Annotated Geological Bibliography of Virginia, Dietz Press, Richmond, Virginia, 1942, pp. 54-61.

This website is sponsored by Mitchells Publications, Chatham, Virginia.