The Wartime Correspondence (1939-1945) between South African Geologist A. L. du Toit and Indian Geologist D. N. Wadia

A. L. du Toit (1878-1948) was one of the most famous South African geologists, known internationally for advocating the idea of Continental Drift. D. N. Wadia was an outstanding Indian geologist, well known for his contributions to Himalayan geology and his book entitled "Geology of India". Du Toit and Wadia met in 1938 at the Indian Science Congress held in Calcutta, after which they corresponded during the Second World War, exchanging books and papers. Their letters reveal their war-time preoccupations with finding rare mineral resources. Because of Wadia's posting to Colombo as Government Mineralogist, du Toit questioned him with regards to the fit of Ceylon (Sri Lanka) in relation to other fragments of the Gondwana supercontinent, like India, Madagascar and Antarctica. This correspondence is a rare example of "South-South" co-operation between two eminent geologists from countries that were then part of the British Empire.