M. M. Leighton ? Chairman, Industrial Minerals Division, A.I.M.E.

EVER since his college days at the University of Iowa, the professional interest of Morris Morgan Leighton has centered on geology, and he now heads the State Geological Survey of Illinois. Just 52 years ago--on Aug. 4, 1887-he was born at Wellman, Iowa. He remained at the State university for his Master's degree, awarded in 1913. A two-year fellowship at the University of Chicago led to a Ph. D. degree, after which Dr. Leighton went out to Seattle as instructor in geology at the University of Washington during 1915-'16. He returned to Iowa as assistant professor of geology at Iowa State Teachers' College for a year, followed by another year at Seattle, after which he returned permanently to the Middle West, first as acting professor of geology at Ohio State and then, from 1919 to 1923, as assistant professor of geology at the University of Illinois and geologist for the Illinois Geological Survey. Of the latter organization he has been chief since 1923, with no present teaching duties. As a result of the successful work of the Survey, notably in non-metallics and in the initiation and stimulation of the recent oil activities in the southern part of the State, it is soon to have a new building with modern laboratory facilities.