Kirtley Mather Will Retire in June After Controversial Science Career

Professor Kirtley F. Mather, expert on mineral resources and former president of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, will retire this June.

Mather, 66, is a professor of Geology and also Curator of the Geological Museum. He has written extensively on the utilization of natural resources, and is an authority on petroleum geology. In 1951, he served as A.A.A.S. president.

Long a nationally controversial figure on the academic freedom issue, Mather has tangled verbally during the last few years with Senators McCarthy of Wisconsin, Jenner of Indiana, and McCarran of Nevada. He testified last February before the Massachusetts Commission investigating Communism in education.

Another University geologist who will retire this year is Associate Professor Russel Gibson, 67.