James Lee Wilson (December 1, 1920 – February 13, 2008) was an American distinguished professor, geologist, paleontologist, and sedimentologist. His research focused on carbonate sedimentary rocks and sedimentary geology.
Biography Wilson received a B.A. degree in Geology from Rice University in 1942 and an M.A. in geology from the University of Texas at Austin in 1944. In 1949, he obtained his Ph.D. in Paleontology from Yale University.
Wilson served as an associate professor at the University of Texas, Austin, and later worked as a research geologist for The Shell Development Company in Houston. He subsequently returned to Rice University, where he held the Harry Carothers Weiss Chair of Geology and served as chair of the geology department.
In 1979, Wilson joined the University of Michigan, where he taught until his retirement in 1986 as a distinguished professor.
Wilson was a member of Geological Society of America, American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Society for Sedimentary Geology, International Association of Sedimentology, Gulf Coast Association of Geological Societies, the Paleontological Society, and the South Texas Geological Society.
Publications Wilson authored Carbonate Facies in Geologic History (1975), a book focused on carbonate rock stratigraphy and sedimentary environments. The publication has been used as a reference in geological studies and has been translated into several languages, including Chinese and Russian.
Honors and recognition
In 1987, Wilson was named an Honorary Member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists. In 1995, he received the organization's Distinguished Educator Award. In 1996, the Society for Sedimentary Geology established the James Lee Wilson Award for young geoscientists in recognition of his contributions to the field.
In 2002, Wilson was awarded the Sidney Powers Memorial Award, the highest honor presented by the American Association of Petroleum Geologists.
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