Robert George Spencer Hudson, 1895-1965

Abstract

Robert George Spencer Hudson was Professor of Geology and Mineralogy at Trinity College, Dublin, a former Professor of Geology at the University of Leeds and for nearly thirteen years (1946-1958) geologist and palaeontologist with the Iraq Petroleum Company. He was born on 17 November 1895 and died suddenly on 29 December 1965. He was distinguished for his major studies in Carboniferous palaeontology, stratigraphy and sedimentation in Yorkshire and elsewhere in the north of England; also for his contributions to the understanding of the palaeontology and geology of the Middle East, especially the Mesozoic Stromatoporoids found there. Rather above middle height he was sturdily built and of rugged appearance. He spoke slowly as if evaluating every thought before delivering it; yet conversely on occasions one was surprised by a thoughtless and untimely remark. Nevertheless, he will be remembered for his enthusiasm, courage and kindly nature, especially by many of those who worked with him. Hudson was born at Rugby, the eldest son of Robert Spencer Hudson, a member of a Rugby firm of builders, Parnell and Sons, which built several buildings designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. A skilled worker in wood, he took charge under Lutyens of the building of Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House. He was prominent in the municipal life of Rugby, serving for many years on its Urban District Council; he became in turn, Alderman, then Mayor and was subsequently elected the first Freeman of Rugby. R. G. S. Hudson’s mother was Annie Wilhelmina, née Goble, of Bicester, Oxfordshire; he had three brothers and two sisters. His schooling began at St. Matthews, a Church of England school in Rugby, under a good headmaster.