Professor Richard Fortey receives OBE in 2023 New Year's Honours
It is our great pleasure to announce that renowned palaeontologist and past President of The Geological Society,
Richard Alan Fortey, has been awarded an OBE (Order of the British Empire) in the 2023 New Year's Honours List.
Professor Fortey, who is known for his research on trilobites and other fossil invertebrates, as well as his popular science writing, has been recognised for his significant contributions to the field of palaeontology and his efforts to promote science literacy. Professor Fortey served as President of the Society during its bicentennial year in 2007, and was awarded the Geological Society Lyell Medal for significant contributions to ‘soft rock’ studies in 1996.
A longstanding Fellow of the Geological Society, Professor Fortey has spent more than four decades at the Natural History Museum in London, where he has played a key role in the development and curation of the museum's extensive fossil collection.
In addition to his research and museum work, Professor Fortey is also an accomplished author, having written several books on the history of life on Earth and the evolution of various species. His works, including "Trilobite!" and "The Hidden Landscape," have been praised for their engaging and accessible style, making complex scientific concepts and ideas accessible to a wide audience.
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Professor Fortey on this well-deserved honour, and we look forward to his continued dedication to the advancement and accessibility of palaeontology and geology.