Alexander Winchell

Biography

Alexander Winchell was a pioneering geologist whose career spanned teaching, writing, and extensive field study. A professor and later chancellor, he shaped generations of students with his work on the geology of the Midwest, particularly his studies of glacial formations and mineral deposits.

Winchell balanced academic rigor with public engagement, publishing accessible accounts of natural history and consulting on surveys that refined the nation’s understanding of its geological wealth. He was laid to rest in Forest Hill Cemetery, leaving a legacy of careful observation and spirited advocacy for the sciences.