Roger Tomlinson
Intellectuals & Academics

Roger Tomlinson Net Worth

Roger Tomlinson was a pioneering English geographer who is widely known as the "father of GIS". He created the first computerized geographic information system in the 1960s and coined the term geographic information system (GIS). His work was instrumental in the development of satellite mapping, global positioning system (GPS), and Google Maps. He was born in Cambridge, England to a father who had served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) and followed in his footsteps by serving in the RAF himself. After his discharge, he studied geography at the University of Nottingham and went on to earn a master's degree in glacial geomorphology from McGill University. He then worked as the manager of the computer mapping division at Spartan Air Services in Ottawa before working for the Government of Canada, where he conceptualized and directed the development of the Canada Geographic Information System.
Roger Tomlinson is a member of Intellectuals & Academics

Age, Biography and Wiki

Who is it? Father of GIS
Birth Day November 17, 1933
Birth Place Cambridge, United Kingdom, British
Age 87 YEARS OLD
Died On 7 February 2014(2014-02-07) (aged 80)\nSan Miguel de Allende, Mexico
Birth Sign Sagittarius
Alma mater University of Nottingham, Acadia University, McGill University, University College London
Occupation geographer
Awards UCGIS Fellow, Order of Canada, Alexander Graham Bell Medal of the National Geographic Society, Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, Murchison Award of the Royal Geographical Society , honorary Doctorate of Science University of Nottingham, honorary Doctorate of Science Acadia University, honorary Doctorate of Science McGill University, honorary Member of the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors, honorary Doctorate of Science University of Lethbridge, URISA GIS Hall of Fame

💰 Net worth

Roger Tomlinson, also known as the Father of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), is considered a pioneer in the field of geospatial technology. With his groundbreaking work in the development of GIS, Tomlinson has made significant contributions to advancements in mapping and spatial analysis. As of 2024, his net worth is estimated to be between $100K and $1 million. His invaluable expertise and passion for GIS have not only revolutionized the way we view and understand geographical data, but also earned him immense recognition and a notable financial status.

Biography/Timeline

1951

Dr. Tomlinson was a native of Cambridge (England) and prior to attending university, he served in the Royal Air Force from 1951–1954 as a pilot and flying officer.

1960

It was during his tenure in the 1960s with Ottawa-based aerial survey company Spartan Air Services that Dr. Tomlinson conceptualized combining land use mapping with emerging computer Technology. This pioneering work led him to initiate, plan and direct the development of the Canada Geographic Information System, the first computerised GIS in the world.

1970

From the 1970s until his death, Dr. Tomlinson worked in geographic consulting and research for a variety of private sector, government, and non-profit organisations, largely through his Ottawa-based company, Tomlinson Associates Ltd., which has branches of consulting geographers in Canada, the United States, and Australia.

1988

He was Chairman of the International Geographical Union GIS Commission for 12 years. He pioneered the concepts of worldwide geographical data availability as Chairman of the IGU Global Database Planning Project in 1988. He was also a President of the Canadian Association of Geographers.

1995

He was recipient of Canadian Association of Geographers rare award for Service to the Profession. The Association of American Geographers in the United States awarded him the James R. Anderson Medal of Honor for Applied Geography in 1995 and he was the first recipient of the Robert T. Aangeenbrug Distinguished Career Award in 2005.

1996

Dr. Tomlinson was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and winner of their Murchison Award for the Development of Geographic Information Systems. In 1996 he was awarded the GIS World Lifetime Achievement Award for a lifetime of work with GIS, and he was the first recipient of the ESRI Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. In 2004, in recognition of his numerous achievements in the industry, the GIS Certification Institute awarded Dr. Tomlinson the GISP Certificate for Lifetime GIS Achievement and he was inducted into URISA's GIS Hall of Fame and awarded lifetime membership. In 2010 Tomlinson received the Alexander Graham Bell Medal of the National Geographic Society (together with Jack Dangermond). In 2011, he was presented with an Honorary Membership in the Association of Ontario Land Surveyors. Tomlinson also received the Geospatial Information & Technology Association Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2013, Tomlinson was awarded a UCGIS Fellow.

2013

More recently, he was made a fellow of University College London and received honorary Doctorates of Science from the University of Nottingham, Acadia University, McGill University, and the University of Lethbridge. He was awarded the Gold Medal of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society and was awarded the Order of Canada by the Governor General for "changing the face of geography as a discipline." In 2013, he was promoted to Officer of the Order of Canada by the Governor General.

Some Roger Tomlinson images

About the author

Lisa Scholfield

As a Senior Writer at Famous Net Worth, I spearhead an exceptional team dedicated to uncovering and sharing the stories of pioneering individuals. My passion for unearthing untold narratives drives me to delve deep into the essence of each subject, bringing forth a unique blend of factual accuracy and narrative allure. In orchestrating the editorial workflow, I am deeply involved in every step—from initial research to the final touches of publishing, ensuring each biography not only informs but also engages and inspires our readership.