Richard Barrie Rickards (1938–2009), was Professor of Palaeontology and Biostratigraphy at the Department of Earth Sciences, Cambridge University and Life Fellow of Emmanuel College.
[1][2][3] He died from cancer on 5 November 2009,[4] but was active to the end, writing books on fishing and papers on graptolites from his hospital bed and pursuing research when at home in remission.
[4] He held the following degrees: BSc, MA, PhD, ScD, and a DSc from the University of Hull.
Rickards' work concentrated on the systematics and biodiversity of graptolites in the Palaeozoic.
This led to a better understanding of their paleobiogeography and evolution, the manner of their recovery from mass extinctions, and a more precise understanding of Lazarus taxa, refugia and relict faunas.