C. Warren Thornthwaite

Charles Warren Thornthwaite (1899–1963) was a geographer and climatologist whose early career included teaching high school in Owosso. He later became known for climate classification and studies of water availability.^[1]

Teaching in Owosso

After graduating from Central Michigan Normal School in 1922, Thornthwaite taught in Owosso for two years while taking courses at the University of Michigan. His local connection was employment, rather than birth: he was born near Pinconning.^[1]

Scientific career

Thornthwaite continued graduate study at the University of California, Berkeley, and held academic and research appointments, including a professorship in climatology at Johns Hopkins University. His climate classification and calculations of potential evapotranspiration helped relate climate to the movement and availability of water.^[1]

Recognition

He served as president of the World Meteorological Organization’s Commission for Climatology and received the American Geographical Society’s Cullum Geographical Medal. He died in 1963.^[1]

Text attribution

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