World's Best Scientists 2026 revealed!

D-Index & Metrics

Earth Science

D-Index
101
Citations
43047
World Ranking
125
National Ranking
63

Research.com Recognitions

  • 2004 - US President's National Medal of Science "For his contributions to geochemistry and cosmochemistry that provided major insights into the evolution of the solar system through his discovery of non-mass-dependent isotope shifts in meteorites.", Presented by President George W. Bush in a White House East Room ceremony on February 13, 2006.
  • 1996 - Member of the National Academy of Sciences
  • 1994 - Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
  • 1980 - Fellow of the Royal Society of Canada Academy of Science
  • 1974 - Fellow of American Geophysical Union (AGU)
  • 1964 - Fellow of John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation
  • 1964 - Fellow of Alfred P. Sloan Foundation

Overview

Robert N. Clayton was affiliated with the University of Chicago in the United States. Their career focused on research in geochemistry and cosmochemistry, fields concerned with the chemical composition of the Earth and the cosmos, respectively.

Throughout their professional life, Clayton received multiple recognitions from prominent scientific organizations and institutions. They were awarded the US President's National Medal of Science in 2004, specifically recognized for their contributions to geochemistry and cosmochemistry, including the discovery of non-mass-dependent isotope shifts in meteorites. This award was presented by President George W. Bush in a White House East Room ceremony on February 13, 2006.

Clayton was a member of the National Academy of Sciences, elected in 1996. They were also a fellow of several scientific societies: the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) since 1994, the Royal Society of Canada since 1980, the American Geophysical Union (AGU) since 1974, and held fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, both awarded in 1964.

While their specific publications, co-authors, fields of study, subfields, and research topics are not documented here, the honors mentioned provide insight into the scope and impact of their scientific contributions. The discovery of non-mass-dependent isotope shifts in meteorites indicates their work was significant in understanding the chemical signatures and evolution of the solar system.

Robert N. Clayton is deceased.

Best Publications

  • The use of bromine pentafluoride in the extraction of oxygen from oxides and silicates for isotopic analysis

    Robert N Clayton;Toshiko K Mayeda

  • Oxygen isotope fractionation in divalent metal carbonates

    James R. O'Neil;Robert N. Clayton;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • Oxygen isotope exchange between quartz and water

    Robert N. Clayton;James R. O'Neil;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • Oxygen isotopic fractionation in the system quartz-albite-anorthite-water

    Yukihiro Matsuhisa;Julian R. Goldsmith;Robert N. Clayton

  • A component of primitive nuclear composition in carbonaceous meteorites.

    Robert N. Clayton;Lawrence Grossman;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • Oxygen Isotopes in Meteorites

    R N Clayton

  • Oxygen isotope studies of achondrites

    Robert N. Clayton;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • The effect of polymorphism and magnesium substitution on oxygen isotope fractionation between calcium carbonate and water.

    Toshikazu Tarutani;Robert N Clayton;Toshiko K Mayeda

  • Oxygen isotope studies of carbonaceous chondrites

    Robert N. Clayton;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRE-SOLAR COMPONENT IN ALLENDE AND OTHER CARBONACEOUS CHONDRITES

    Robert N. Clayton;Naoki Onuma;Lawrence Grossman;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • The oxygen isotope record in Murchison and other carbonaceous chondrites

    Robert N. Clayton;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • Measurement of O18O16 ratios of total oxygen of carbonates

    Taleshwar Sharma;Robert N Clayton

  • Oxygen-Isotope Fractionations in Systems Containing Dolomite

    David A. Northrop;Robert N. Clayton

  • A classification of meteorites based on oxygen isotopes

    Robert N. Clayton;Naoki Onuma;Toshiko K. Mayeda

  • Oxygen isotope fractionations involving diopside, forsterite, magnetite, and calcite: Application to geothermometry

    Hitoshi Chiba;Thomas Chacko;Robert N Clayton;Julian R Goldsmith

  • Oxygen isotope studies of ordinary chondrites

    Robert N Clayton;Toshiko K Mayeda;J.N Goswami;Edward J Olsen

  • Mechanisms of hydrothermal crystallization of quartz at 250°C and 15 kbar

    Yukihiro Matsuhisa;Julian R. Goldsmith;Robert N. Clayton

  • Self-shielding in the solar nebula

    Robert N. Clayton

  • The CR (Renazzo-type) carbonaceous chondrite group and its implications

    Michael K Weisberg;Martin Prinz;Robert N Clayton;Toshiko K Mayeda

  • The origin of saline formation waters: 1. Isotopic composition

    Unknown

  • Oxygen isotope composition of the oceanic crust and its bearing on seawater

    K. Muehlenbachs;R. N. Clayton

Frequent Co-Authors

Toshiko K. Mayeda
Toshiko K. Mayeda University of Chicago
Andrew M. Davis
Andrew M. Davis University of Chicago
Roy S. Lewis
Roy S. Lewis University of Chicago
Michael J. Pellin
Michael J. Pellin Argonne National Laboratory
Klaus Keil
Klaus Keil University of Hawaii at Manoa
Lawrence Grossman
Lawrence Grossman University of Chicago
Michael K. Weisberg
Michael K. Weisberg City University of New York
Marion Jackson
Marion Jackson University of Wisconsin–Madison
John T. Wasson
John T. Wasson University of California, Los Angeles
Martin Prinz
Martin Prinz American Museum of Natural History

If you think any of the details on this page are incorrect, let us know.

Report an issue

We appreciate your kind effort to assist us to improve this page, it would be helpful providing us with as much detail as possible in the text box below:

Related Online Degrees & Career Pathways

Studying Earth Science in the USA opens doors to diverse career opportunities, many of which benefit from interdisciplinary skills. For example, combining Earth Science knowledge with skills gained from a what is library science program can enhance data management and research capabilities essential in scientific fields.

Visual documentation and analysis also play a key role in Earth Science careers. Students interested in adding creative technical skills may explore online photography degrees. Programs like those highlighted in online digital photography degree lists enable students to develop expertise in capturing and analyzing environmental imagery.

Veterans interested in Earth Science have tailored options too. The guide on best military friendly online photography degrees showcases accessible programs that support military backgrounds, ideal for veterans exploring scientific visualization and documentation roles.

Moreover, Earth Scientists often collaborate internationally, making language skills valuable. Pursuing online degrees in spanish can enhance communication with Spanish-speaking communities and facilitate broader research outreach.

Each of these related fields enriches the core Earth Science curriculum, preparing graduates for dynamic, multidisciplinary careers.

Best Scientists Citing Robert N. Clayton