- Frank Hawthorne
Frank Christopher Hawthorne FRSC (born 1946) is a Canadian
mineralogist and crystallographer.Born in
Bristol ,England , he received aBachelor of Science degree fromImperial College London in 1968 and an Associateship of theRoyal School of Mines (ARSM). In 1973, he received a Ph.D. fromMcMaster University .From 1973 to 1975, he was a Post-Doctoral Fellow in the Department of Geological Science at the
University of Manitoba . He was a research associate from 1975 to 1980 and University Research Fellow from 1980 to 1985.In 1985, he was appointed an Associate Professor and in 1986 he was appointed a Professor of Crystallography and Mineralogy. He currently holds the
Canada Research Chair in Crystallography and Mineralogy.Hawthorne’s early work focused on structural and crystal-chemical problems of
amphiboles . He had utilized several experimental techniques, including X-ray andneutron diffraction ,infrared spectroscopy , andMössbauer spectroscopy . He summarized his results in a 300-page paper on amphiboles, for which he was awarded theHawley Medal of theMineralogical Association of Canada in 1983.Hawthorne then turned his attention to a series of complex crystal-chemistry problems involving rock-forming minerals, such as
staurolite ,vesuvianite ,pyroxenes ,beryl , andtourmaline . He utilized a multi-technique approach and applied novel analytical and spectroscopic methods to solve these mineralogical problems. These results have been used to provide indication of the conditions prevailing during the progressive crystallization ofmagma s.Hawthorne’s work on the energetic content of the chemical bonds in mineral structures has advanced solid-state chemistry and crystallography.
Honours
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Frankhawthorneite is named after him
* He is a Fellow of theRoyal Society of Canada
* 1983, awarded the Mineralogical Association of Canada’s Hawley Medal
* 1991, awarded theGeological Association of Canada 'sW.W. Hutchison Medal
* 1993, awarded theRoyal Society of Canada ’sWillet G. Miller Medal
* 1996, awarded theGeological Association of Canada 's highest honour, theLogan Medal
* 1999, awarded the Mineralogical Association of Canada’s Past Presidents’ Medal
* 2006, made an Officer of theOrder of Canada References
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