Robert David Hodgson (June 7, 1923 - December 4, 1979) was an American geographer and an internationally recognized expert on geographic aspects of the law of the sea and maritime boundaries.[1][2]
Robert D. Hodgson | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 7 June 1923 |
| Died | 4 December 1979 (aged 56) USA |
| Spouse | Margaret Hodgson |
| Children | 7 |
Dr. Hodgson believed that broader understanding of geographic principles would reduce international conflicts.[3] He worked for the State Department as the Director of the Office of the Geographer in the Bureau of Intelligence and Research.[4]
The Hodgson Seamount was named after him. In 1968, Robert D. Hodgson unilaterally extended the ceasefire line between Indian and Pakistan from NJ9842 to Karakoram Pass, after taking a cue from the US ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone). Maps while dealing with the question of how the boundaries of the state of Jammu and Kashmir were to be shown in US maps.[5][6][7] This led to Siachen conflict between India and Pakistan. In 1986, the US State Department removed this Hodgson's Line.[8]
Works
edit- The technical delimitation of a modern equidistant boundary (1975). Self-published.[9]
- Islands: normal and special circumstances (Report). U.S. Dept. of State. Bureau of Intelligence and Research. 1973. Research study, RGES-3.[10]
- "Towards an objective analysis of special circumstances: bays, rivers, coastal and oceanic archipelagos and atolls". Occasional Paper. 13 (13). Law of the Sea Institute. 1972.
- Hodgson, Robert D.; Stoneman, Elvyn A. (1968). The Changing Map of Africa. Van Nostrand searchlight book. Vol. 16. D. Van Nostrand.[11]
- The Champlain-Richelieu Lowland: A Study in Historical Geography (dissertation, 1951) [12]
Personal life
editHodgson was married to Margaret Hodgson. Father to David, Laura, Susan, Peter, Mark, Amy, and Luke Hodgson. He graduated with degrees from the University of Michigan.[4]
References
edit- ^ "How a tiny line on a map led to conflict in the Himalaya". National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on February 18, 2021.
- ^ "Robert D. Hodgson Dies, Geographer at State Dept".
- ^ "AAG Dissertation Research Grants".
- ^ a b "In the world of realpolitik, most maps are perishable". State Department Newsletter: 5–8. May 1978 – via Hathitrust.
- ^ "Kumar's line vs Hodgson's line: The 'Lakshman rekha' that started an India-Pakistan fight".
- ^ "How India got Hodgson's Line erased and won the race to Siachen". Archived from the original on October 16, 2022.
- ^ "The 'cartographic nightmare' of the Kashmir region, explained". Archived from the original on February 18, 2021.
- ^ Wilkinson, Freddie (18 February 2021). "How a tiny line on a map led to conflict in the Himalaya". National Geographic. Archived from the original on 19 November 2021. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
- ^ "University of Virginia Library".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "University of Virginia Library".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "University of Virginia Library".[permanent dead link]
- ^ "University of Michigan Mirlyn Holdings".
 | This biographical article about a geographer is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |