COMPOSITE GAZETTEER OF ANTARCTICA

Named for Prof (Emeritus) George Knox, who has been actively involved in Antarctic biology for over 30yrs. Former president of SCAR. 2007: presented with the New Zealand Antarctic Science 50th Anniversary Award. Emeritus Professor Knox, then aged 87, was born in Pleasant Point and educated at Timaru Boys High School. He was first appointed to the then National Committee for Antarctic Research in 1959 and sat on the Ross Dependency Research Committee between 1965 and 1992. He was the New Zealand delegate to the Scientific Committee on Antarctic Research (SCAR) from 1974 to 1986 and President of SCAR between 1978 and 1982, the only New Zealander to hold the post. Knox also sat on several other international committees, including being Secretary General and then President of the International Association for Ecology (INTECOL) from 1978 to 1982. Knox’s long-standing public service and impressive academic record in the environment and conservation sectors throughout New Zealand led to his MBE in the Queen’s Birthday honours list of 1985. Knox retired in 1984 after a distinguished academic career spanning 35 years at Canterbury University, including almost 20 years as head of the Department of Zoology. He began a long-term marine biology Antarctic research programme in 1960 and directed the team for 12 years. Incredibly, Knox participated in 13 field parties to the Antarctic and has published more than 100 scientific papers – including 25 on the Antarctic and Southern Ocean. His most recent book, the 1000-page Biology of the Southern Ocean, is the standard international reference work on the oceans surrounding Antarctica. George is also acknowledged as a key figure in Antarctic marine science.

A peak rising to about 800 m at the west extremity of MacDonald Hills, on the north side of Taylor Valley, Victoria Land. Named by the New Zealand Geographic Board (NZGB) (1998) after Professor Emeritus George A. Knox, formerly of the zoology department of the University of Canterbury, New Zealand Knox made numerous Antarctic visits and established the university's Antarctic Research Unit that was active from 1961 until 1981; New Zealand delegate to SCAR 1974-86; President of SCAR 1978-82.