mineralogist who in 1903 presented to the International Geological Congress a paper on the composition and texture of the crystalline schists. Published in amplified form in 1913, his paper contained the first comprehensive theory of metamorphic rocks and proved to be singularly fruitful for advances in their study. Becke's subsequent work on retrogressive metamorphism led to a deeper understanding of many ancient mountain belts.

Becke studied mineralogy and allied sciences in Vienna under Gustav Tschermak, whose Mineralogische und petrographische Mitteilungen (“Mineralogical and Petrographical Notices”) he edited after 1899. Becke was appointed to the chair of mineralogy at the University of Vienna in 1898, became rector of the university in 1921, and retired in 1927.