Biography of Lawrence Albert Joseph Williams

Lawrence Williams graduated BSc from the University in 1952, and went on to become a key player in the geology and mapping of Kenya.

Williams was born in Nairobi, son of Charles, a clerk. He enrolled at the University of Glasgow in 1947, and over a period of five years studied subjects as Chemistry, Mathematics, Natural Philosophy, Botany and Geology. He graduated BSc in Geology with first class honours in 1952.

Returning to his native Kenya as a survey geologist, Williams joined the geological mapping team in the Geological Survey of Kenya under the direction of Dr William Pulfrey. Williams was noted to be the only member of the team who was brought up in Kenya, and one of the most adept in the challenging Kenyan terrain.

From 1963 Williams lectured at the University in Nairobi, from where he also obtained a PhD. In 1972 he was appointed Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University, where he continued his research of Kenya, retiring in 1990 as an Emeritus Reader.

A fellow geologist recognised Williams' immense contribution "to the unravelling of the very complex geology of Kenya".

Summary

Lawrence Albert Joseph Williams
Born 23 April 1929.
Died 2011.
University Link: Alumnus, Graduate
GU Degree: BSc, 1952; Science and Engineering,
Occupation categories: geologists
Record last updated: 13th Jan 2014

University Connections

University Roles

• Alumnus
• Graduate