Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory (LDEO) is a world-class research institution specializing in the Earth sciences and is part of Columbia University. The current director of Lamont is G. Michael Purdy. Lamont was one of the centers of research that led to the development of the theory of Plate Tectonics as well as many other notable scientific developments. LDEO is situated on a property overlooking the Hudson River in Palisades, New York, which was once the weekend residence of banker Thomas W. Lamont, known as "Torrey Cliff." His widow, Florence Haskell (Corliss) Lamont (1873-1952), gave the property to the University. In 1969, the Observatory was renamed "Lamont-Doherty" following a significant gift from the Henry L. and Grace Doherty Charitable Foundation. (Henry Latham Doherty (1870-1939) was the founder of the Cities Service Company.) The Lamont campus also houses the International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI) and the Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN).
