author
James L. (James Lindsay) Dyson
1912–1967
A geologist and educator with a gift for making earth science approachable, this mid-20th-century writer brought glaciers, rocks, and landscapes to life for general readers. His books reflect both deep scientific training and a clear desire to share the wonder of the natural world.
2 Audiobooks
Glaciers and Glaciation in Glacier National Park
by James L. (James Lindsay) Dyson
The Geologic Story of Glacier National Park
by James L. (James Lindsay) Dyson
About the author
Best known as a geologist and teacher, he wrote accessible works on glaciers and the geology of national parks, including The World of Ice and The Geologic Story of Glacier National Park. His writing is practical and inviting, aimed at readers who are curious about how mountains, ice, and landforms came to be.
He graduated from Lafayette College in 1933 and earned his doctorate from Cornell University in 1938. He then taught geology at Cornell and Colgate before returning to Lafayette, where he became head of the Department of Geology and Geography in 1947 and remained in that role until his death in 1967.
His connection to Lafayette lasted well beyond his lifetime. The college still honors his memory through student awards in geology, a sign of the lasting impression he made as both a scholar and a mentor.