Alexander McKay

Background

He was born in Carsphairn, Kirkcudbrightshire, Scotland on 11 April 1841.

Career

McKay reached New Zealend in 1863 where he spent a number of years prospected for gold. A meeting with Julius von Haast saw a change of direction in which McKay, largely self-taught, undertook geological mapping and fossil collecting expeditions throughout the islands. In 1872 James Hector appointed him to the Geological Survey of New Zealand.

The discipline of neotectonics is largely based upon McKay"s observations and theories.

Achievements

• McKay"s greatest achievement was to free New Zealand sciences from the strictures of European-based thinking, developing new theories, of worldwide importance, on block faulting in the evolution of mountain systems