![](https://sachm.org/pub/img_1490-1-290x290.jpg)
Agriculture
Dr James Christopher
Life in Saskatchewan
Came to Saskatchewan in 1959 with his family
Ancestry
Born in July 1925 in Philadelphia, PA
Contributions
Agriculture
Dr. James Christopher is best known for his foundational work on the Bakken basin in 1961.
James (Jim) Christopher was born in Philadelphia, PA, but in his formative years was sent to live with his maternal grandparentsin Jamaica. It was there that he received his elementary and secondary schooling.He returned to the U.S., and worked as a migrant laborer before joining the U.S. military. After the war, he took university night classes at a community college and then transferred to Columbia University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in geology. Armed with several scholarships, Jim enrolled at Ohio State University, where he obtained an M.Sc. degree, followed by his Ph.D. in 1959. After graduation, James headed north to Canada, accepting a position as research geologist with the Saskatchewan Department of Mineral Resources. Thus began an immensely productive and illustrious career spanning over 50 years.
Along the way, Christopher worked on and named the Torquay formation, which has, in recent years, become one of the hottest plays in Saskatchewan.
Dr. James Christoper and his achievements through CSPG/CEGA. James Christoper received Honorary Membership from CSPG in 1996 and he also received our RJW Douglas Medal in 2013.
Quotes:
Articles:
https://sgshome.ca/about-us/history
https://sgshome.ca/pub/documents/rock%20record/2014/April_2014%20Rock%20Record_%20Rock%20Record.pdf
https://www.apegs.ca/apegs-view-apegs-awards
https://sgshome.ca/pub/documents/Awards/Honour_Roll/James%20E.%20Christopher%20(2004)%20citation.pdf