Peter Barrett: key obituary facts
Is Peter Barrett dead? Yes. Peter Barrett died on September 26, 2026, at age 86.
Cause of death: Peter Barrett's cause of death has not been publicly confirmed.
What was Peter Barrett known for?
He was a New Zealand geologist.
More about Peter Barrett
Born: 11 August 1940.
Place of birth: Hamilton.
Gender: male.
Occupation: geologist.
Nationality: New Zealand.
Education: University of Wisconsin–Madison, Ohio State University, University of Auckland.
Employer: Victoria University of Wellington, Australian National University.
Awards: Polar Medal, Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi, Marsden Medal, New Zealand Antarctic Medal.
Also known as: Peter John Barrett, Peter J. Barrett, P. J. Barrett.
Known for: Discovery of the first tetrapod fossils (Antarctica, 1967).
Peter Barrett, the New Zealand geologist known for the discovery of the first tetrapod fossils in Antarctica, died on September 26, 2026, aged 86.
Born in Hamilton on August 11, 1940, he was educated at the University of Auckland, the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Ohio State University. Barrett held academic posts at Victoria University of Wellington and the Australian National University, and was recognized with honours including the Polar Medal, the Marsden Medal, the New Zealand Antarctic Medal and election as a Fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi.