| Edward Howel Francis | |
| Honorific Suffix: | BSc, DSc, FRSE, FGS |
| Birth Date: | 31 May 1924 |
| Birth Place: | South Wales, UK |
| Nationality: | British |
| Alma Mater: | University College, Swansea |
| Occupation: | Geologist, Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences |
Edward Howel Francis, BSc, DSc, FRSE, FGS (31 May 1924 - 22 May 2014) was a British geologist and Emeritus Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Leeds.[1] [2] He was President of the Geological Society of London from 1980 to 1982.[3]
Francis was born in south Wales and went to school in Port Talbot. He was called up for military service after two years, commissioned in the Cheshire Regiment and served in the Mediterranean. After three years in the Army, he graduated from University College, Swansea (now Swansea University) in 1949. He joined the Institute of Geological Sciences (now the British Geological Survey) where he rose through the ranks from field geologist in Scotland to Assistant Director for Northern England and Wales, based in Leeds.
In 1977 Francis was appointed Professor of Earth Sciences at the University of Leeds. He retired from his chair with the title Emeritus Professor in 1989 and was awarded an Honorary Fellowship of University College, Swansea in the same year.[2]