Alfred Wegener's Kevo

Alfred Lothar Wegener was born November 1, 1880 in Berlin, Germany. His father was an orphanage director there and he had a brother named Kurt. Alfred received his PhD from the University of Berlin in Astronomy, but upon graduation, became more interested in meteorology and land studies.

From 1905 until 1909, Wegener worked at the Royal Prussian Aeronautical Observatory as a researcher. In 1909, he accepted a position at the University of Marberg as a lecturer and tutor. He remained there until he was drafted into the German army during WWI. Wegener was wounded twice during the war and upon returning home, he went back to his position at the University of Marberg. Although, he enjoyed his work as a tutor and researcher, he really wanted to be a professor. However, because of his controversial belief's at during this time, no one took him seriously.

Finally in 1924, Wegener was offered a professorship at the University of Graz, which he graciously accepted and remained there until his death in 1930. Wegener's theory of continental drift was not supported at this time. He was the first to openly suggest and show evidence of the continental drift theory, where all continents were once one large land mass called Pangea. This land mass, he believed, slowly, overtime broke away from each other to form the continents as we know them today. This theory was not accepted during his time.

Throughout his life, Wegener made several trips to Greenland to study the land. He had been fascinated with the structure of Greenland since he was a teenager and he felt Greenland was the link to his Continental Drift theory. This fascination, would eventually lead to his death. In September of 1930, Wegener set off on another expedition to Greenland. His team was tired and cold, but he wanted to press on and finish his expedition. He and two other team members continued and were never seen alive again. Because of the cold temperatures, his body was not recovered until May of 1931. He and his other colleagues froze to death in Greenland.

Wegener's life work was finally vindicated in 1960 when Harry Hess finally proved the continental drift theory.
Climb to Fame
First to show evidence and openly suggest the theory of continental drift
Work History
"1924-1930 Professor, University of Graz

1916-1924 Lecturer and Tutor, University of Marberg

1914-1916 German Army, WWI

1909-1914 Lecturer and Tutor, University of Marberg

1905-1909 Researcher, Royal Prussian Aeronautical Observatory"