My Writings
Recipient of various recognitions from mining and health institutions, colleges and universities; called “ a world authority on the history and traditions of our [mining] profession.” Cf. Mining Engineering, official publication of the Society of Mining Engineers of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers, 2 July, 1974. Paul was especially moved by receiving an autographed photograph of the miner John L. Lewis, long-time President of the United Mine Workers of America, whom he regards as a great social reformer and “mining benefactor.” It concerns a historical picture taken after the tragic mine explosion, West Frankfort, Ill., December 21, 1951, where 119 miners were killed. As Paul states, “Undoubtedly, he was one of the greatest labor-leaders, who ever lived. As one grateful miner, Horace Michael Ainscough, said on a special occasion, September 9, 1948: ‘With the deepest humility I offer this fervent prayer – God bless the day John L. Lewis was born.’ Amen.” Cf. MINING LORE, pp. 517-528, 535, 536, 551, 795, 867; and A STRANGE PARALLEL by Wolfgang Paul, pp. 82-97.
As Mr. Lewis wrote: “You know there is an understanding and a bond and fraternity among mining men all over the world.” Indeed, the miners are an international society, and, as Georgius Agricola, 1494-1555, Pioneer of Mineral Science and Technology, put it, “Mining …a calling of peculiar dignity.”
Paul himself has gratefully experienced this feeling of a close fellowship or “belonging together” of the “mining family” again and again throughout many years, regardless of country and geographical borders. This international mining community has expressed its appreciation to him privately and publicly in various ways, accepting it “with singleness of heart” in gratitude to God.
Having worked also extensively in the special field of mineralogical – and bio-geo-chemical research, contributing to the healing arts for the benefit of suffering creatures, it was a great, a glad surprise to him, when he received the news, that “The scientists of Russia elected him as a foreign member of Russian Geological Society, Medical Geological Division, which is an official body, plenipotentiary to present Russia in the International Medical Geology Association.”
In his line of work, Paul has extensively traveled by all kinds of transportation. Around the globe, he was in many countries. Also, on invitation, he delivered discourses here and there, e.g., at the renowned Vernadskii S.G.M. of the Russian Academy of Sciences.
(Wide World Photos.)
Gift of Mr. Lewis with his autograph for Wolfgang Paul.
Among the many witnesses to Paul’s work
Robert A. Bitar, Consul of Lebanon, sums it up this way:
“… Professor Paul … a distinguished member of the mining profession …by his untiring efforts has contributed in exceptional measure to science, technology and the arts of his profession on a truly international scope. As a Professional Relations Director of the United European Mining and Metallurgical Associations (American Division), [now Emeritus] with its three million members, he has won special recognition of mine workers for ‘so excellently presenting the mining profession, the vocation of the miner.’”
This is a brief excerpt from book review in the United Mine Workers Journal, Washington, D.C., December 15, 1971, official publication of UMWA; concerning the afore-mentioned work:
“Mining Lore … an interesting book …a volume of nearly 1,000 pages of pictures, statistics, and stories about mines and miners all over the world. …The book includes a long section on John L. Lewis and the UMWA [United Mine Workers of America].
“The author, Wolfgang Paul ... a mining engineer… takes the reader from prehistoric times to the present. …”
Thus wrote James D. Reilly, President, The Society of Mining Engineers of the American Institute of Mining, Metallurgical, and Petroleum Engineers:
“MINING LORE, Memorial Edition …I have enjoyed reading it immensely. It is very interesting to read about the mining industry from the very beginning.”
Evgeny V. Kuzmin, Mining Engineer, Professor, and Head of the Department of Underground Ore Mining, Vice Rector for Foreign Affairs, Moscow State Mining University, Russia:
Regarding MINING LORE: “Unique…fantastic.”
Iossif F. Volfson, Russian Geologist and Mineral Researcher, Co-Author of the Biography of his father, Fedor Iosifovich Volfson, 1907-1989, D.Sc., Professor, Mining Explorer and Writer, “an outstanding Soviet scientist,” who once was severely persecuted and suffered greatly under the Stalinistic regime, yet years later, in 1963, he received the Labor Red Banner Medal, and in 1965, he was awarded the Lenin Prize. Iossif F. Volfson inscribed this precious Biography, stating:
“Presented to Wolfgang Paul from the bottom of my heart – (it) was a thriller seeing your book ‘Mining Lore.’” Furthermore saying:
“Here in this country you would have earned the Lenin Prize.” (Moscow, Russia, June, 2000.)
Tom McCall, Governor of Oregon:
“Congratulations on your book on Mining. Obviously this was a labor of love, as well as a scientific compilation and Oregon is proud to have among its citizens the author of such an important tome. …” “You certainly have done a marvelous job of research.”
Harold C. Howell, American Writer, stating from the Canadian mining town of Thompson, Manitoba:
“…your masterpiece of patience, endurance and privation; ...there are few of us who will actually know of the blood, sweat and tears that have invisibly yet indelibly stamped themselves on each page of MINING LORE.”
Joseph H. Herz, Chief Process Engineer, California Portland Cement Company:
“…your book, ‘Mining Lore’ and I can only say: “OH WELCHE FREUDE’!
“My congratulations to your spirit, not to give up, in spite of all difficulties.
“I only hope that this book will be widely read, not only by students of the mining faculty, but by all who study engineering. To be a good engineer one not only has to have pure knowledge, but also the ‘Spirit of Tradition and Vision,’ and your book speaks of this.
“May you enjoy the fruits of your labor for a long time, and all present and future engineers grasp some of your endurance. – GLÜCK AUF.”
“The Historical Record,” by Ron Bentley, published in the Mineralogical Record, March-April 1981, Publisher John S. White, Smithsonian Institution:
“MINING LORE – Every once in a while one comes across a book or publication which qualifies as a landmark of sort. Henry Poh’s monograph on miners’ lamps (reviewed previously here) is a good example. Another is Wolfgang Paul’s 940-page Mining Lore, published in 1970 and still in print. This book, like other great classics of historical and mineralogical research is awe-inspiring for the prodigious amount of time, research and love that must have gone into its compilation. …
“‘It is amazing how the ancient miners accomplished so much without the powder’s power. Think of the many deep mines and long tunnels driven by hand, with mallet and gad in hard rock! No wonder the miner holds his “pick more splendid than the sword.’”
Howard O. Berg, Books, Old and New – Search Service, Devils Lake, North Dakota:
“…MINING LORE…it has been ‘a long time a –coming’ but the wait was worth it.
“I am not a scholar, an engineer, or a miner – just a humble bookman, but truly, this is a book!
“MINING LORE is not a book you will read through at one sitting…it is ‘the loaf of bread, the jug of wine beside me in the wilderness’ book. It is the cup that will quench your thirst whenever you pick it up and drink. A chalice that never runs dry….”