John Eric Robinson (© Terry Walker)
John Eric Robinson, known as Eric to everyone, developed an interest in rocks from an early age after seeing gravestones during visits to a cemetery to remember his sister. Cemeteries and graveyards were to become his territory later in life, when he introduced non-geologists to rocks in urban settings.
Ostracod research
After graduating and then completing a PhD at the former King’s College Newcastle in 1955, Eric joined University College London (UCL), rising through the ranks to become Senior Lecturer by 1980. Eric remained at UCL throughout his academic career and even after retirement was given a desk in the department for many years, enabling him to continue his work.
His research interests centered on ostracods, culminating in many papers and his collection covering most of the stratigraphic column being donated to the Natural History Museum, London. He was involved in several trips on marine research vessels but never missed an opportunity to collect specimens, even from Regent’s Park when he was supposed to be keeping an eye on his children on the boating lake!
Urban geology
Eric’s name became synonymous with building stones and geological walks. He was passionate about making geology accessible to ‘the man in the street’ through looking at rocks used in everyday settings. Eric brought urban geology alive and his knowledge of art and architecture added to the information he would pass on to those participating in his walks. Two books were produced covering London, Illustrated Geological Walks: City and West End, and further walks were published in the Proceedings of the Geologists’ Association. He led many walks on Hampstead Heath and during the Great Storm of 1987 upturned trees displayed the underlying geology, becoming known as ‘Robinson’s Pits’. Eric was presented with the Geological Society of London’s R H Worth Award in 1991 for these achievements in public engagement.
His passion for art, architecture and geology blended serendipitously during his part in the conservation of the Cosmati Pavement in Westminster Abbey, which can now be seen in its full glory on state occasions. This interdisciplinary nature saw Eric involved in a variety of organisations, including advising on cultural history for The Victorian Society and English Heritage, being Vice President of the Royal Archaeological Institute, and sharing knowledge with the Stone Federation Great Britain, which promotes the use of natural stone and traditional trade skills. He also authored several chapters of the Pevsner Buildings of England series of architectural guides and contributed frequently to Geology Today, remaining an Editorial Adviser to them until his passing aged 95.
Lasting legacy
Eric was a well-loved tutor and mentor to generations of students at UCL, many of whom kept in touch with him throughout his life. In 2019, friends and former colleagues contributed to a booklet entitled Ericdotes, which was published by the Geologists’ Association in his honour, after his longstanding association with them. Subsequently, a project commenced to collect Eric’s many publications and unpublished, hand-drawn leaflets given to those attending his informal geological walks. This ‘Erichive’ has recently been deposited at UCL.
Eric married Isabel Telford in 1958 and they had three children, Helen, Angus and Alison.
By Wendy Rees, Tony Doré and Helen Chave
