Frank Alonzo Wilder was born in Akron, Ohio, February 2, 1870. He earned his B.A. in 1892 at Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. He taught science at high schools in Ft. Dodge and Des Moines, Iowa, from 1894 to 1900. During 1901 he was assistant state geologist of Iowa. In 1902 he took his Ph.D. in geology at the University of Chicago, then took the position of associate professor of geology for one year at the University of North Dakota.

Dr. Wilder joined the faculty at the State University of Iowa in 1903 as professor of geology, and taught courses in Petrology (mineralogy), as well as Economic Geology and Mining. In particular he researched the uses of the mineral gypsum. He first became interested in the uses of gypsum while teaching in Ft. Dodge, a site of substantial mining activity. Wilder succeeded Samuel Calvin as the director of the Iowa Geological Survey Bureau in 1904 and served in that capacity until 1906 when Mr. Calvin again assumed the title. The Iowa Geological Survey Bureau was established in 1855.

Dr. Wilder resigned his position at the State University of Iowa in 1906 to become director of the Southern Gypsum Company in North Holston, Virginia. He held this position until 1927. Frank A. Wilder died March 8, 1930.

[D. Anderson; 11/2007].