Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
The granites of Cornwall and Devon, illustrating how Holmes
considered their roots were connected underground.
polarised as the Edinburgh geology department became more
and more deeply 'granitised'. All the Holmes' students 'did a
granite' for their PhD thesis and the very mention of an alter-
nate theory meant you were liable to have your head chopped
o¬ by the Queen of Granites. It was not a very healthy state of
a¬airs.
At the other end of the country Bowen's followers were con-
centrated in the Cambridge-dominated Mineralogical Society
where the word 'Holmes' became an anathema. At one meeting
the situation had become so antagonistic that Doris was forced
to buy herself 'one of these modern high hats like a witch. I
thought that if I kept that on at the meeting I could not be over-
looked.' There were no half measures with Doris, she was an
extremely strong and forceful personality, which undoubtedly
helped her to succeed in the intensely chauvinist and male-
dominated profession that she found herself in, but of course
that very success alienated many of her male colleagues. Her
students though, seem to have adored her.
Arthur appears to have supported his wife in these theories,
continually praising her work both in print and in lectures -
'she
