Donnel Foster Hewett

Donnel Foster Hewett was an American geologist and mineralogist who lived from 1881 to 1971 and made significant contributions to mineral resource exploration and ore deposit research. His most notable early achievement was a leading role in discovering the Minas Ragra vanadium ore deposit in Peru in 1905, which became the principal world source of vanadium for more than thirty years. Across his career with the United States Geological Survey he earned the nickname Mr. Manganese for extensive research into manganese mineralogy and ore deposition, and made findings on the relationship between dolomitization and lead-zinc ore deposition that became a guide used by geologists around the world to identify such deposits. He also identified and established the abundance of bastnasite ore deposits near Mountain Pass, California, in 1949, and with Earl V. Shannon described and named the manganese-rich mineral orientite, discovered in Cuba. He remained scientifically productive until his death in 1971, with two papers still in press. He received the Penrose Medal in 1964.