Question: Which scientist has inspired you the most?

David Pyle answered on 17 Mar 2011:

Tough one!

I was always interested in volcanoes, and later came to realise that this was something I could take further. In a way I arrived where I am today through the slow process of a childhood fascination evolving into a scientific career. On the way, I am not sure that there were any particular individuals who stand out as inspirations for me (different from role models, and heros – see those answers). With hindsight, the sorts of scientists I find the most inspiring are those whose scientific writings have lasted the longest;and who were meticulous about recording their observations, at a time when current theories didn’t exist – so careful, in fact, that you can still use those observations today.

For me, from the field of geology, this would include Charles Darwin, for his geological observations on the Voyage of the Beagle; Robert Mallett, who mapped out the earthquake zones of the world in the middle of the 1800’s; and Alfred Harker and Norman Bowen who built the foundations of the field that I now work in..