A vintage black-and-white portrait of a distinguished man in a suit and polka-dot tie, captured in a formal pose. The image reflects mid-20th-century fashion and professional style, evoking a classic, timeless appearance suitable for historical or biographical contexts.
A vintage black-and-white portrait of a distinguished man in a suit and polka-dot tie, captured in a formal pose. The image reflects mid-20th-century fashion and professional style, evoking a classic, timeless appearance suitable for historical or biographical contexts.

Norman L. Bowen

Historical

Historical

Jun 21, 1887

-

Sep 11, 1956

A vintage black-and-white portrait of a distinguished man in a suit and polka-dot tie, captured in a formal pose. The image reflects mid-20th-century fashion and professional style, evoking a classic, timeless appearance suitable for historical or biographical contexts.

Norman L. Bowen

Historical

Historical

Jun 21, 1887

-

Sep 11, 1956

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Norman Levi Bowen was a Canadian geologist who contributed immensely to developing experimental petrology and the knowledge of mineral crystallization in igneous rocks. Bowen was born in Kingston, Ontario, and has had a passion for geology and mineralogy since childhood. He attended Queen’s University and graduated with a BSc and MA in chemistry and geology. Later, he obtained his PhD in geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1912. His research in phase-equilibrium studies of silicate minerals, particularly the crystallization of different minerals from magma, formed the basis for developing petrology as a scientific discipline.

Bowen’s contribution was crucial in moving the study of igneous rocks from the field and more to the laboratory and systematic approach. His contribution to the recrystallization of minerals and their association with the cooling of magma is preserved in what is referred to as Bowen’s Reaction Series. This theory describes the order of formation of minerals during the cooling of magma and is still used today to explain how the various igneous rocks are formed. Bowen’s early work at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science provided the foundation for numerous investigations into the physicochemical mechanisms that control the formation of rocks in the subsequent four decades.

Bowen also collaborated with other researchers, such as J. F. Schairer and O. F. Tuttle, to explore the real-life applications of complicated mineral systems. He conducted his research in places such as South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, the volcanic lavas of East Africa, and the peridotites of Skye in Scotland. Nevertheless, Bowen never ceased to be engaged in applied research, underlining the importance of geologists examining rocks in the field. His book The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, published in 1928 and derived from lectures given at Princeton University, is today regarded as a petrology classic.

Bowen continued his work at the University of Chicago in his later years and taught many well-known geologists while continuing his experimental petrology work. For his work in geochemistry and petrology, Bowen was awarded many times, including prestigious awards such as the Bigsby Medal, the Penrose Medal, and the Wollaston Medal. Bowen retired from the University of Chicago in 1952 but did not stop working. He had an office at the Geophysical Laboratory until he died in 1956.

Quotes

“Perhaps it is because we know so much about magmas that we have such a vivid appreciation of what there is yet to learn.”

“To many petrologists, a volatile component is exactly like a Maxwell demon; it does just what one may wish it to do.”

“Crystallization is the process by which molten rock cools and forms mineral structures, the key to understanding igneous rock formation.”

“In the natural world, the forces of heat, pressure, and time conspire to shape the rocks beneath our feet.”

“The study of rocks is the study of Earth’s most fundamental processes, carried out over millions of years.”

“Mineral formation in magma is a continuously evolving process, marked by changes in temperature and time.”

“It is in the laboratory that we come closest to recreating the conditions under which rocks are formed.”

“Understanding the crystallization of silicates is vital to decoding the geological history of our planet.”

“We must go into the field, not merely to observe but to gather data that enriches the results of our experiments.”

“The history of a rock is written in the sequence of its crystallization.”

“Magmatic differentiation is not just a theory but a measurable process, demonstrated by countless experiments.”

“The crystallization of minerals from magma provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the Earth’s crust.”

“Scientific progress in geology requires not only observation but controlled experimentation.”

“Granite and basalt tell two very different stories about the formation of the Earth’s surface.”

“Petrology bridges the gap between theory and the observable world, providing a foundation for the study of our planet.”

FAQ

What is the legacy of Norman L. Bowen?

Bowen is most famous for his work on the Bowen Reaction Series, a model that describes the process of mineral formation from cooling magma.

What is Bowen’s contribution to petrology?

He revolutionized the field by using a systematic and experimental approach to determine the formation and recrystallization of igneous rocks, which overruled traditional field observations.

What is Bowen’s Reaction Series?

This theory explains how various minerals crystallize magma to form different igneous rocks.

Where did Bowen do his research?

Bowen’s research was done at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science and then at the University of Chicago.

What recognition did Bowen get for his work?

He was awarded many honors, such as the Bigsby Medal, the Penrose Medal, and the Wollaston Medal, for his contribution to the study of petrology.

What did Bowen do for geology?

Most of Bowen’s professional life was spent at the Geophysical Laboratory, where he performed experimental work on silicate melts and mineral formation.

What was Bowen’s position at the Geophysical Laboratory?

Most of Bowen’s professional life was spent at the Geophysical Laboratory, where he performed experimental work on silicate melts and mineral formation.

What is the importance of Bowen’s work The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, published in 1928?

It is one of the most important works in petrology, contributing to the integration of experimental data on the genesis and evolution of igneous rocks.

Did Bowen do field research?

In addition to his laboratory work, Bowen did field work and studied rock formations in South Africa, East Africa, and Scotland.

What is the scientific community’s perception of Bowen?

Bowen is considered one of the first scholars in the field of petrology, and the American Geophysical Union continues his legacy through the Bowen Award.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Norman Levi Bowen was a Canadian geologist who contributed immensely to developing experimental petrology and the knowledge of mineral crystallization in igneous rocks. Bowen was born in Kingston, Ontario, and has had a passion for geology and mineralogy since childhood. He attended Queen’s University and graduated with a BSc and MA in chemistry and geology. Later, he obtained his PhD in geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1912. His research in phase-equilibrium studies of silicate minerals, particularly the crystallization of different minerals from magma, formed the basis for developing petrology as a scientific discipline.

Bowen’s contribution was crucial in moving the study of igneous rocks from the field and more to the laboratory and systematic approach. His contribution to the recrystallization of minerals and their association with the cooling of magma is preserved in what is referred to as Bowen’s Reaction Series. This theory describes the order of formation of minerals during the cooling of magma and is still used today to explain how the various igneous rocks are formed. Bowen’s early work at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science provided the foundation for numerous investigations into the physicochemical mechanisms that control the formation of rocks in the subsequent four decades.

Bowen also collaborated with other researchers, such as J. F. Schairer and O. F. Tuttle, to explore the real-life applications of complicated mineral systems. He conducted his research in places such as South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, the volcanic lavas of East Africa, and the peridotites of Skye in Scotland. Nevertheless, Bowen never ceased to be engaged in applied research, underlining the importance of geologists examining rocks in the field. His book The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, published in 1928 and derived from lectures given at Princeton University, is today regarded as a petrology classic.

Bowen continued his work at the University of Chicago in his later years and taught many well-known geologists while continuing his experimental petrology work. For his work in geochemistry and petrology, Bowen was awarded many times, including prestigious awards such as the Bigsby Medal, the Penrose Medal, and the Wollaston Medal. Bowen retired from the University of Chicago in 1952 but did not stop working. He had an office at the Geophysical Laboratory until he died in 1956.

Quotes

“Perhaps it is because we know so much about magmas that we have such a vivid appreciation of what there is yet to learn.”

“To many petrologists, a volatile component is exactly like a Maxwell demon; it does just what one may wish it to do.”

“Crystallization is the process by which molten rock cools and forms mineral structures, the key to understanding igneous rock formation.”

“In the natural world, the forces of heat, pressure, and time conspire to shape the rocks beneath our feet.”

“The study of rocks is the study of Earth’s most fundamental processes, carried out over millions of years.”

“Mineral formation in magma is a continuously evolving process, marked by changes in temperature and time.”

“It is in the laboratory that we come closest to recreating the conditions under which rocks are formed.”

“Understanding the crystallization of silicates is vital to decoding the geological history of our planet.”

“We must go into the field, not merely to observe but to gather data that enriches the results of our experiments.”

“The history of a rock is written in the sequence of its crystallization.”

“Magmatic differentiation is not just a theory but a measurable process, demonstrated by countless experiments.”

“The crystallization of minerals from magma provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the Earth’s crust.”

“Scientific progress in geology requires not only observation but controlled experimentation.”

“Granite and basalt tell two very different stories about the formation of the Earth’s surface.”

“Petrology bridges the gap between theory and the observable world, providing a foundation for the study of our planet.”

FAQ

What is the legacy of Norman L. Bowen?

Bowen is most famous for his work on the Bowen Reaction Series, a model that describes the process of mineral formation from cooling magma.

What is Bowen’s contribution to petrology?

He revolutionized the field by using a systematic and experimental approach to determine the formation and recrystallization of igneous rocks, which overruled traditional field observations.

What is Bowen’s Reaction Series?

This theory explains how various minerals crystallize magma to form different igneous rocks.

Where did Bowen do his research?

Bowen’s research was done at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science and then at the University of Chicago.

What recognition did Bowen get for his work?

He was awarded many honors, such as the Bigsby Medal, the Penrose Medal, and the Wollaston Medal, for his contribution to the study of petrology.

What did Bowen do for geology?

Most of Bowen’s professional life was spent at the Geophysical Laboratory, where he performed experimental work on silicate melts and mineral formation.

What was Bowen’s position at the Geophysical Laboratory?

Most of Bowen’s professional life was spent at the Geophysical Laboratory, where he performed experimental work on silicate melts and mineral formation.

What is the importance of Bowen’s work The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, published in 1928?

It is one of the most important works in petrology, contributing to the integration of experimental data on the genesis and evolution of igneous rocks.

Did Bowen do field research?

In addition to his laboratory work, Bowen did field work and studied rock formations in South Africa, East Africa, and Scotland.

What is the scientific community’s perception of Bowen?

Bowen is considered one of the first scholars in the field of petrology, and the American Geophysical Union continues his legacy through the Bowen Award.

Biography

FAQ

Quotes

Biography

Norman Levi Bowen was a Canadian geologist who contributed immensely to developing experimental petrology and the knowledge of mineral crystallization in igneous rocks. Bowen was born in Kingston, Ontario, and has had a passion for geology and mineralogy since childhood. He attended Queen’s University and graduated with a BSc and MA in chemistry and geology. Later, he obtained his PhD in geology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in 1912. His research in phase-equilibrium studies of silicate minerals, particularly the crystallization of different minerals from magma, formed the basis for developing petrology as a scientific discipline.

Bowen’s contribution was crucial in moving the study of igneous rocks from the field and more to the laboratory and systematic approach. His contribution to the recrystallization of minerals and their association with the cooling of magma is preserved in what is referred to as Bowen’s Reaction Series. This theory describes the order of formation of minerals during the cooling of magma and is still used today to explain how the various igneous rocks are formed. Bowen’s early work at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science provided the foundation for numerous investigations into the physicochemical mechanisms that control the formation of rocks in the subsequent four decades.

Bowen also collaborated with other researchers, such as J. F. Schairer and O. F. Tuttle, to explore the real-life applications of complicated mineral systems. He conducted his research in places such as South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, the volcanic lavas of East Africa, and the peridotites of Skye in Scotland. Nevertheless, Bowen never ceased to be engaged in applied research, underlining the importance of geologists examining rocks in the field. His book The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, published in 1928 and derived from lectures given at Princeton University, is today regarded as a petrology classic.

Bowen continued his work at the University of Chicago in his later years and taught many well-known geologists while continuing his experimental petrology work. For his work in geochemistry and petrology, Bowen was awarded many times, including prestigious awards such as the Bigsby Medal, the Penrose Medal, and the Wollaston Medal. Bowen retired from the University of Chicago in 1952 but did not stop working. He had an office at the Geophysical Laboratory until he died in 1956.

Quotes

“Perhaps it is because we know so much about magmas that we have such a vivid appreciation of what there is yet to learn.”

“To many petrologists, a volatile component is exactly like a Maxwell demon; it does just what one may wish it to do.”

“Crystallization is the process by which molten rock cools and forms mineral structures, the key to understanding igneous rock formation.”

“In the natural world, the forces of heat, pressure, and time conspire to shape the rocks beneath our feet.”

“The study of rocks is the study of Earth’s most fundamental processes, carried out over millions of years.”

“Mineral formation in magma is a continuously evolving process, marked by changes in temperature and time.”

“It is in the laboratory that we come closest to recreating the conditions under which rocks are formed.”

“Understanding the crystallization of silicates is vital to decoding the geological history of our planet.”

“We must go into the field, not merely to observe but to gather data that enriches the results of our experiments.”

“The history of a rock is written in the sequence of its crystallization.”

“Magmatic differentiation is not just a theory but a measurable process, demonstrated by countless experiments.”

“The crystallization of minerals from magma provides a glimpse into the inner workings of the Earth’s crust.”

“Scientific progress in geology requires not only observation but controlled experimentation.”

“Granite and basalt tell two very different stories about the formation of the Earth’s surface.”

“Petrology bridges the gap between theory and the observable world, providing a foundation for the study of our planet.”

FAQ

What is the legacy of Norman L. Bowen?

Bowen is most famous for his work on the Bowen Reaction Series, a model that describes the process of mineral formation from cooling magma.

What is Bowen’s contribution to petrology?

He revolutionized the field by using a systematic and experimental approach to determine the formation and recrystallization of igneous rocks, which overruled traditional field observations.

What is Bowen’s Reaction Series?

This theory explains how various minerals crystallize magma to form different igneous rocks.

Where did Bowen do his research?

Bowen’s research was done at the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science and then at the University of Chicago.

What recognition did Bowen get for his work?

He was awarded many honors, such as the Bigsby Medal, the Penrose Medal, and the Wollaston Medal, for his contribution to the study of petrology.

What did Bowen do for geology?

Most of Bowen’s professional life was spent at the Geophysical Laboratory, where he performed experimental work on silicate melts and mineral formation.

What was Bowen’s position at the Geophysical Laboratory?

Most of Bowen’s professional life was spent at the Geophysical Laboratory, where he performed experimental work on silicate melts and mineral formation.

What is the importance of Bowen’s work The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, published in 1928?

It is one of the most important works in petrology, contributing to the integration of experimental data on the genesis and evolution of igneous rocks.

Did Bowen do field research?

In addition to his laboratory work, Bowen did field work and studied rock formations in South Africa, East Africa, and Scotland.

What is the scientific community’s perception of Bowen?

Bowen is considered one of the first scholars in the field of petrology, and the American Geophysical Union continues his legacy through the Bowen Award.

Life and achievements

Early life

Norman Levi Bowen was born on June 21, 1887, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. He had a good foundation in science, especially chemistry and geology, in his early years at Queen’s University in Ontario. Bowen obtained his first degree in geology and mineralogy in 1909 and then continued to get his master’s degree at the same university in 1910. His academic achievement and passion for the Earth's physical processes made him continue his studies at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he was conferred with a PhD in 1912. Bowen’s time at MIT was significant for his further development as a scientist since he got involved in experimental research on the recrystallization of minerals from the melt of rock, which defined the course of his work.

After finishing his doctorate, Bowen joined the Geophysical Laboratory of the Carnegie Institution for Science in Washington, D. C. Here, Bowen worked under the supervision of leading geologists and chemists and conducted his first significant research in phase equilibria in silicate systems, which is the foundation of his most important work. His work on the physical properties of minerals, especially as they relate to the cooling of magma, made him one of the most promising petrologists of his time. At the age of 28, Bowen released The Later Stages of the Evolution of the Igneous Rocks (1915). This paper presented a new concept of igneous rock formation through fractional recrystallization based on physicochemical principles.

His passion for recrystallization silicates made him develop Bowen’s Reaction Series in the early 1920s. He described how minerals form from cooling magma and gave a step-by-step process of how minerals form based on temperature. The reaction series is divided into two branches: The first one is the discontinuous branch, which consists of minerals that alter their structure with the progress of cooling. The second is the continuous branch, in which the minerals remain chemically the same, but the composition may vary. This model has been instrumental in changing the way geologists thought about the formation of igneous rocks and has been used in geology up to the present.

Legacy

Norman L. Bowen’s contribution to petrology is still felt today and is diverse. His contribution helped scientists change how they research and analyze the formation of igneous rocks, primarily through Bowen’s Reaction Series. This model helped to explain how various types of igneous rocks, such as basalt, granite, and andesite, are formed from the cooling of magma. Bowen’s approach was not simply descriptive; it was based on experimental work that generated numerical data regarding the physicochemical processes of rock formation. His experimental methods provided a new approach to petrology, which focused on the controlled laboratory work in conjunction with the field study.

Bowen’s work also affected the entire field of geochemistry. Considering temperature, pressure, and the chemistry of mineral recrystallization opened the way for further studies of the chemical evolution of the Earth’s crust. In subsequent years, many geologists followed his methods of experimentation, which helped in the better understanding of not only the igneous rocks but also the formation of metamorphic and sedimentary rocks. Bowen’s work at the Geophysical Laboratory allowed him to train scientists researching the relationship between chemistry and geology.

Besides, Bowen was awarded and honoured by the international scientific community for his scientific contributions. He was also honoured with the Bigsby Medal of the Geological Society of London in 1931, the Penrose Medal of the Geological Society of America in 1941, and the Roebling Medal of the Mineralogical Society of America in 1950. Bowen was also elected to the Royal Society as a Foreign Member in 1949, one of the world's most prestigious societies. His work spread across the global stage, and his concepts were integrated into other global geological surveys.

After retiring from the Geophysical Laboratory in 1952, Bowen’s work did not cease. His influence was also continued by creating the Norman L. Bowen Award, which the American Geophysical Union awards yearly for significant achievements in volcanology, geochemistry, and petrology. Bowen’s name has also been engraved on a lunar crater, which is a testimony to his contribution to the scientific society.

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Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
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Your donation today shapes the future of how families and friends connect.
You will become a featured Ambassador.
Learn more ->

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Milestone moments

Jun 21, 1887

Norman L. Bowen’s Birth.
Norman Levi Bowen was born on June 21, 1887, in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
His passion for geology and mineralogy developed at Queen’s University, where he received a solid academic foundation.
Bowen was always fond of chemistry and physics at an early age, and these two subjects would be vital in his later studies.

May 15, 1915

Publication of The Later Stages of the Evolution of the Igneous Rocks
In 1915, at the age of 28, Bowen published The Later Stages of the Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, a quantitative physicochemical account of the formation of igneous rocks.
For the first time, this paper presented the idea of fractional recrystallization, where different minerals recrystallize from magma at various temperatures to form different igneous rocks.

Apr 16, 1928

Publication of The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks
Bowen’s book, The Evolution of the Igneous Rocks, published in 1928, became a reference material in petrology and crystallization theory.
The book was based on a series of lectures he delivered at Princeton University in 1927.

Nov 7, 1947

A professorship at the University of Chicago
Between 1937 and 1947, Bowen was appointed the Charles H. Hutchinson Distinguished Service Professor of Petrology at the University of Chicago.
In this decade, Bowen supervised a school of experimental petrology that generated a large body of work on the recrystallization of alkali minerals.

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