Background
Bassett, Douglas Anthony was born on August 11, 1927 in LLanelli, Wales. Son of Hugh and Annie Jane (Bassett) Bassett.
museum curator geology educator
Bassett, Douglas Anthony was born on August 11, 1927 in LLanelli, Wales. Son of Hugh and Annie Jane (Bassett) Bassett.
From 1952 to 1959, Douglas Bassett taught in the Geology Department at Glasgow University and at the same time studied the geology of north and mid-Wales, especially the Bala district, in collaboration with Alwyn Williams and Harry Whittington, and his pioneering surveys came to be considered models of their kind.
He took a degree in Geology at Aberystwyth University in 1952, and after obtaining his doctorate in the same discipline, lectured in Geology at Glasgow University from 1952 to 1959. Having joined the National Museum of Wales as keeper of Geology in 1959, he was appointed in the role of Director in 1977 until 1985, when ill-health forced him to retire. His years at the National Museum of Wales saw a rapid growth of the Museum"s Geology Department.
He encouraged colleagues and students working in Wales to donate their specimen collections and developed the Museum as a centre for research, especially in the Natural Sciences.
In 1960 he co-founded the South Wales Group of the Geologists" Association which flourishes to this day. In 1961, he published Bibliography and Index of Geology and Allied Sciences for Wales and the Welsh Borders 1897–1958, which made his name as a geologist, followed six years later by A Source-book of Geological, Geomorphological and Soil Maps for Wales and the Welsh Borders 1800–1966, which proved invaluable for town and country planners.
Various public bodies benefited from his expertise, amongst them the Welsh Office, the Ordnance Survey and the Nature Conservancy Council.
Founder member, director National Welsh-American Foundation, 1980-1986, 90—. Chairman Committee for Wales Water Resources Board, England and Wales, 1968-1973, Wales Nature Conservancy Council, 1973-1985. Member Ordnance Survey committee Serpell Commission, 1978-1980, founder, chairman Association of Teachers of Geology.
Fellow Museum Association.
Married Elizabeth Menna Roberts, August 17, 1954 (divorced 1976). Children: Sara Anne, Siân Elizabeth, Rhian Lynne.