Mitchell, George Francis

George Francis Mitchell FRS (1912-1997)

George Francis Mitchell (1912-1997)

George Francis Mitchell, botanist, geologist and geomorphologist was a distinguished student in Trinity College Dublin and was a lecturer there from 1934-79 and later as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Dublin between 1985 and 1987.

Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

George Francis Mitchell (1912-1997)
Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

George Francis Mitchell (1912-1997)

George Francis Mitchell, botanist, geologist and geomorphologist was a distinguished student in Trinity College Dublin and was a lecturer there from 1934-79 and later as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Dublin between 1985 and 1987.

Courtesy of the National Science & Engineering Plaques Committee

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George Francis Mitchell, botanist, geologist and geomorphologist was a distinguished student in Trinity College Dublin and was a lecturer there from 1934-79 and later as Pro-Chancellor of the University of Dublin between 1985 and 1987.

While predominantly a geologist, Mitchell developed interests in other areas such as botany and archaeology and he also played an active role in university administration. He wrote a series of books on Ireland's geology, landscape and prehistory, the most recent with Michael Ryan 'Reading the Irish Landscape'. When Trinity College Dublin sold Townley Hall, Frank Mitchell acquired the house and it became a study centre, funded by him personally and which facilitated research in many disciplines, particularly archaeological investigations at Knowth.

Mitchell received many honours during his lifetime. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. He was a Cunningham Medallist of the Royal Irish Academy and a Boyle Medallist of the Royal Dublin Society. He was President of the Royal Irish Academy in 1976-79 and of the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland from 1957-60. He was president of An Taisce from 1991-93 and the International Quarternary Association from 1969-73.