Marguerite Williams


Marguerite Thomas Williams was an American geologist. She was the first African American to earn a doctorate in geology in the United States.

Early years and education

Marguerite Thomas was the sixth of six children born to Henry C. and Clara E. Thomas. She attended Washington Normal School #2, later known as the Normal School for Colored Girls. She graduated from the two-year teacher-training program at the Normal School for Colored Girls in June 1916, with a scholarship to Howard University. Dr. Kelly Miller of Howard University delivered the address to the graduates and a song, written by Thomas for the occasion, was sung. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree from Howard University in 1923 where she was mentored by African American biologist Ernest Everett Just. While earning her Bachelor's degree, Thomas worked as an elementary school teacher. After finishing her degree, she returned to the Normal School to teach as an assistant professor and work with the school's theater group.
Thomas was granted a leave from the Miner Teachers College to pursue her master's degree in geology at Columbia University, which she completed in 1930. After completing her master's degree, Thomas married Dr. Otis James Williams, D.D.S., and took his name.
In 1942, she completed her PhD dissertation, A History of Erosion in the Anacostia Drainage Basin, at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. This made her the first African American to earn a doctorate in geology in the United States. Her dissertation was later published by the Catholic University of America Press.

Dissertation

In her dissertation, Williams sought to explore on the factors that eventually lead to the erosion observed in the Anacostia River. Little had been done in terms of examining the upper and lower regions of the river and the basin sedimentation. The flooding of Bladensburg, Maryland precipitated the erosion, and had caused the necessity for an investigation. She concluded that in addition to natural erosion, human activities including deforestation, agriculture and urbanization accelerated the process.

Career

Williams spent most of her career teaching courses on geology and the social sciences. After gaining her PhD in 1942, she was promoted to full professor at Miner Teachers College. For a decade, from 1923-1933, she was Chair of the Division of Geography at the Miner Teachers College. In addition to teaching and serving as chair, she also taught at Howard University during the 1940s. She retired in 1955.