1-11 Z. dt. geol. Ges. 140 Hannover 1989 5 Abb.

DOI: 10.1127/zdgg/140/1989/1

In Memoriam WENG WENHAO (1889-1971)

GERT MICHEL & WANG GENYUAN *)

Biography, bibliography, Geological Survey, university professor, scientific research

Kurzfassung : Am 29. Juni 1989 jähn sich zum on June 29, 1889. In commemoration of his lOOth 100. Male der Gebunstag von WENG WENHAO (W. H. birthday a brief resume of his life and work should WONG), einem der Initiatoren der geologischen Erfor­ be presented so that this great man is not forgotten. schung Chinas. 11Jahre lang ist er Direktor des chine­ sischen geologischen Dienstes gewesen und stieg in He studied at Lovain University in Belgium, gra­ höchste Staatsämter auf. WENG WENHAO war ein be­ duating in petrology in 1912. He was one of the lea­ kannter Hochschullehrer und inspirierte die geologi­ ding members of the Geological Survey of China and sche Forschung auf vielen Gebieten, wie Tektonik, a pioneer in geological education in China (together Seismik, Lagerstättenkunde, Quanärgeologie u. a. with and ZHANG HONGZHAO). He Nach 1949 betätigte er sich vorwiegendals Übersetzer became a member of the Geological Survey of China und Redakteur und prospektiene auf Uranerze im in 1916. For eleven years, 1926-1937. he occupied Nordwesten des Landes. In den 20er und 30er Jahren the highest position the Chinese geological world had dieses Jahrhunderts repräsentierte er China auf meh­ to offer, that of Director of the Geological Survey and reren internationalen Kongressen, und es wurden ihm Professor of Geology at both universities. His viele Ehrungen ausländischer Universitäten und ge­ influence among Chinese geologists was considerable. lehrter Gesellschaften zuteil. Er starb am 27. Januar 1971 in Peking. His academic work was brilliant. Prizes, medals, honorary docrorates (awarded, for instance, by the universities ofBerlin, Halle, London, and Vancouver), (In Memoriam WENG WENHAO (1889-1971)) and election as fellow of scientific societies seemed to come to hirn as amatter of course. Abstract: WENG WENHAO was one of the fore­ most and best-known Chinese geologists of his time. From 1938 to 1945, he was Minister of Economic He was born in , Jin Xian, province, Affairs and temporary chairman of the National Resources Commission; from 1944 to 1945, he was also director of the War Production board. In 1948, he was elected to the . Later, he also * Anschriftender Autoren: Prof. Dr. G. MICHEL, Geo­ ) became a member of SCCPPCC. After 1951, he in­ logisches Landesamt Nordrhein-Westfalen, De-Greiff-Str. 195. D-4150 Krefeld, und Institut fürGeologie und Palä­ vestigated uranium deposits in Xinjiang. He worked ontologie der Universität Hannover, Callinstr. 30, D-3000 in many branches of geology and authored numerous Hannover. Prof. Dr. WANG GENYUAN, Wuhan College of publications, as weil as translated many works. He died onJanuary 21, 1971, in his 82nd year, in Beijing. Geology, Wuhan, Provinz Hubei, VR China.