Obituary: Drummond Matthews
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.In 1955-57 I shared a small lab with Drummond Matthews at the FIDS base on Signy Island in the South Orkneys, writes W. L. N. Tickell.
Bob White's obituary [1 August] was rather dismissive of the Antarctic experience. Matthews quickly became a resourceful and resolute polar traveller and his knowledge of Coronation Island was equalled only by that of his companion and surveyor, Douglas Bridger. In the southern winter of 1956 fast ice did not form in the South Orkneys, so it was not possible to sledge across the sea, but Matthews manhandled sledges over glaciers and mountains during three expeditions on Coronation Island. Matthews Island was named after him.
Before his PhD Drum Matthews had already been the senior author of a FIDS publication that today remains a major work on the geology of the South Orkney Islands.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments