FRANK LEVERETT, IOWA’S FAVORITE SON AND PREMIER GLACIALIST: SOME NEW INSIGHTS

Iowa can justly claim credit for fathering one of America’s foremost glacial geologists. Although his most authoritative study, Monograph 53, written with F. B. Taylor, was published in 1915, the influence of their glacial work continues into the 21^st century. In spite of this, Leverett remains a relatively quiet figure in the history of the geology. This talk focuses primarily on Leverett’s early and middle years utilizing additional information derived from his NAS autobiography, personal letters, and other sources.

Leverett was born in 1859 in Denmark, IA, and grew up as a farmer’s son. He attended the Denmark Academy where his interest in science led him into teaching. He attended Colorado College in 1883-84 and returned to Ames in 1884 to complete a degree. His thesis on flowing wells came to the attention of McGee and Chamberlin of the newly formed USGS. After walking the 250 miles for a job interview with Chamberlin, he began employment as a junior Field Assistant in 1886, and was promoted through the ranks in 1890, 1901 and 1928, ending his 43 year career at age 70 as a Senior Geologist.

Glacial geologists are not born, but made by lots of field work. Initially, Leverett had to hone his mapping and observational skills. The difference between different till sheets was not intuitively obvious; Leverett had to write to Chamberlin for clarification. Later on, Leverett came to rely on Taylor’s observations of lake levels from New York and Ontario.

Letters between Taylor and Leverett are indicative of the collaboration and friendship between two very different people from diverse backgrounds. While Taylor was the only son of a wealthy jurist in Fort Wayne, Leverett was from a more rural background. While Taylor had his family’s support throughout his life, Leverett’s father never understood Frank’s choice of career. Their career paths intersected and then diverged later in life.

Leverett’s energy and stamina are legendary, but he was afflicted with respiratory problems later in life, necessitating spending winters in Florida and Arizona. Leverett remained close to his extended family throughout his life, even bringing them to Michigan during the Depression. Frank and his wife Dorothy were both buried in Denmark.