George Clarke Simpson Biography and Timeline

Birth of George Clarke Simpson

Birth of George Clarke Simpson

Lecturer at the University of Manchester

Becomes the first person to lecture in meteorology at a British university when he was appointed lecturer at the University of Manchester

Indian Meteorological Service

joined the Indian Meteorological Service as an Imperial Meteorologist at their headquarters in Simla and inspected many of the meteorological stations in India and Burma

Terra Nova Expedition

George Clarke Simpson joins Scott's Terra Nova expedition as meteorologist and prepares to direct the expedition's weather observations.

Meteorology Appointment

Joins the expedition as meteorologist.

Role range: 1910-1912

Meteorological Corner Established

Simpson establishes his meteorological working area within the Cape Evans hut for regular atmospheric observations.

Role range: 1910-1913

Upper-Air Balloon Observations

Simpson conducts balloon experiments to investigate atmospheric conditions above Cape Evans.

Role range: 1910-1913

First Spring Balloon Launch

Simpson resumes upper-air observations by launching a balloon from Cape Evans.

Role range: 1910-1913

Cape Evans Meteorological Observations

Simpson recorded the temperature and wind observations at the base camp at Cape Evans.

Role range: 1910-1912

Cape Evans Weather Station

Given the nickname Sunny Jim by the other expedition members, George Simpson constructed one of the continent's first weather stations, conducting balloon experiments to test the atmosphere and determine how altitude affects temperature.

Role range: 1910-1912

Weather Station Command

Simpson is given command of the Cape Evans weather station for several months when Scott and the southern parties leave in November 1911.

Role range: 1910-1912

Balloon Experiments

Uses balloon observations to study upper-air conditions.

Role range: 1910-1912

Cape Evans Meteorological Programme

Directs regular weather measurements at the expedition base.

Role range: 1910-1912

Cape Evans Weather Network

Simpson operates meteorological stations around Cape Evans using recording instruments to maintain a continuous local weather record.

Role range: 1910-1913

Upper-Air Balloon Observations

Uses balloons to investigate temperature and winds above Antarctica.

Role range: 1910-1912

Weather Station

Maintains meteorological instruments at Cape Evans.

Role range: 1910-1912

CBE

Made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Role range: 1920-1938

Director of the Meteorological Office

Appointed Director of the Meteorological Office

Role range: 1920-1938

Simpson Scale

Establishes the Simpson wind force scale, a modification of the Beaufort wind force scale which is the current standard scale used worldwide; still called the Beaufort wind force scale

Role range: 1920-1938

Knighthood

Receives a knighthood

Role range: 1920-1938

President of the British Meteorological Society

Appointed President of the British Meteorological Society

Role range: 1940-1942

Death of George Clarke Simpson

Death of George Clarke Simpson