Background
Benson, William Edward Barnes was born on May 15, 1919 in West Haven, Connecticut, United States. Son of John Edward and Lucia Purdy (Barnes) Benson.
Benson, William Edward Barnes was born on May 15, 1919 in West Haven, Connecticut, United States. Son of John Edward and Lucia Purdy (Barnes) Benson.
Bachelor, Yale University, 1940. Master of Science, Yale University, 1942. Doctor of Philosophy, Yale University, 1952.
Geologist, Connecticut Geological and Natural History Survey, 1940-1942; geologist, United States Geological Survey, 1942-1954; branch chief, United States Geological Survey, 1953-1954; executive secretary division earth science, National Academy Sciences/National Research Council, 1954-1955; chief geologist, Manidon Mining Inc., North Dakota, 1955-1956; program director, section head, National Science Foundation, 1956-1975; chief scientist earth science division, National Science Foundation, 1975-1979; science advisory to, Office of President, Washington, 1976-1977; private consultant, since 1980. Visiting professor U. Hawaii, 1980. Senior staff associate NAS, since 1980.
Served with United States Naval Reserve, 1944-1945. Fellow Geological Society of America, American Geophysical Union, American Association for the Advancement of Science (secretary section E 1969-1973, chairman section E 1974-1975). Member Geological Society Washington (vice president 1958), Pick and Hammer Society (chairman 1970-1973), Phi Beta Kappa, Sigma Xi (lecturer 1980-1981).
Married Mary Freda Hill, July 11, 1944. Children– Sharon (Mistress J.G. Rachel), Lynn (Mistress Juris Doctor Walker), William Edward.