Robert L. Carroll
Paleontology, paleobiology
Vertebrate palaeontologist who recognized and described the oldest known ancestor of all reptiles birds and mammals; the origins of terrestrial vertebrates, the origin of various amphibians such as frogs and salamanders. "Any high-school kid can go out and make fossil discoveries." |
- Birthdate
- May 5, 1938
- Birthplace
- Kalamazoo, Michigan
- Residence
- Montreal, Quebec
- Family Members
- Spouse: Anna DiTuri, retired business school teacher
- Father: John H. Carroll, high-school science teacher
- Mother: Arvella Mae Wickerham, nurse
- Children: David
- Personality
- Determined, ernest, enthusiastic but boisterous and lighthearted at times, perhaps bashful as well.
- Favorite Music
- La Bohème or Turandot by Puccini, much of Brahms, also Fauré's Requiem.
- Other Interests
- Sings baritone in a choir and likes to sing arias from Italian operas; also enjoys hiking and climbing in the small mountains of Eastern North America, cross country skiing, and snorkeling.
- Title
- Strathcona Professor of Zoology Emeritus, curator of vertebrate paleontology, Redpath
- Office
- Redpath Museum, McGill University
- Status
- Working
- Degrees
-
- BSc, (Geology), Michigan State U., 1959
- MA, (Biology), Harvard U., 1961
- PhD, (Biology), Harvard U., 1963
- Awards
-
- Fellow, Royal Society of Canada, 1993
- Willet G. Miller Medal (Royal Society of Canada), 2001
- Romer—Simpson Medal (Society of Vertebrate Paleontology), 2004
- Mentor
Carroll's father showed him his first fossil and taught him about evolution. Rolin Baker, Director of the museum at Michigan State University where Carroll had summer jobs; taught him the publish or perish rule of academia. Alfred S. Romer, Harvard paleontologist who gave professional inspiration. George Simpson, Harvard professor who taught the historical aspects of evolution.
- Last Updated
- November 13, 2009
- Popularity
