Thomas Condon: What We Can Learn about the Man from his Personal Collections
Collections made by paleontologists impart an enormous amount of information about the ideas and motives of the individual. Thomas Condon, Frontier Missionary and Oregon’s First State Geologist, came to the Oregon Territory in 1852 and soon became interested in its remarkable fossil assemblage. Condon's personal collection of Oregon plant and animal fossils reflect not only his science but his travels and associates as well. Dr. Orr will examine these aspects of his life as well as the nature of his work and achievements.
Dr. William Orr was appointed director of the Condon collection at the University of Oregon in 1982 and continues in that position today. He trained as a geologist specializing in paleontology. He was awarded his degrees from Oklahoma. California and Michigan. In his 30 year career at the University of Oregon (1967-1997) he did two tours at the National Science Foundation as program officer and participated on the Deep Sea Drilling Project as shipboard scientist on three legs. He has written some 20 books on diverse subjects including Paleontology, Geology, and Oregon Water.
