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Edinburgh Geological Society

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1834-

Biography

The Edinburgh Geological Society was formed in 1834. It was born out of a meeting of eleven members of a class in mineralogy conducted by Mr Alexander Rose. The meeting was held on Thursday 4 December 1834 in Robertson's Tavern, Milne's Close, in the city, where the decision was taken to start a society for "Discussion and Mutual Instruction". The society was to meet in Mr Rose's house at 2 Drummond Street, and was to be known as the Geological Society

Its first President was John Castle, and its first Secretary, James Brodie. Both were members of Mr Rose's class. The first scientific meeting of the Society was held on 8 December 1834, and the subject for discussion being whether or not Arthur's Seat (a hill in the city's Holyrood Park) was of volcanic origin. In 1863, the Society elected Sir Roderick Impey Murchison as its first Patron (1863-71), and he was followed by Sir Charles Lyell (1871-75)

While today the Edinburgh Geological Society draws on the considerable geological expertise of the University of Edinburgh and the British Geological Survey (at Murchison House), it welcomes and encourages amateur and professional alike to become involved in its lectures and excursions. The primary requirement for membership is an interest in geology.

The Society has acquired such prestige that there is little difficulty in attracting high calibre speakers on a wide variety of subjects. Lecture meetings are held throughout the winter in the Grant Institute (Kings Buildings site). In the summer, a varied programme of excursions is organised.

The Society publishes The Edinburgh Geologist once or twice a year. This publication consists of short papers on a wide range of geological topics with descriptions of geological localities.

Found in 16 Collections and/or Records:

Excursions Committee, 1939-1949

 Item
Identifier: Coll-43 ::: MS 2935.1
Scope and Contents

Notebook containing minutes of the Excursions Committee and dates and places of geological excursions.

Dates: 1939-1949
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Miscellany

Minute Book No 7, 07 November 1867 - 18 March 1879

 Item — Volume MS 2918.1: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/7
Scope and Contents Notebook containing minutes of ordinary meetings with 432 numbered pages. Full details of the Society's business is recorded including: details of honorary, corresponding and normal membership and diplomas awarded, reports from Annual General Meetings including details of office-bearers and their election, financial details, details of the publications of Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society, details of donations for the Society's museum and...
Dates: 07 November 1867 - 18 March 1879
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No 8, 17 April 1879 - 29 April 1897

 Item — Volume MS 2918.2: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/8
Scope and Contents Notebook containing minutes of ordinary meetings with approximately 500 pages. Full details of the Society's business is recorded including: details of honorary, corresponding and normal membership. Also included are details of the nomination of the first lady associate, Grace Milne-Home on 04 May 1893 and the formation of a student membership class on 18 February 1892. Reports from Annual General Meetings include details of office-bearers and their election, financial details,...
Dates: 17 April 1879 - 29 April 1897
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No 9, 1897-1924

 Item — Volume MS 2919.1: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/9
Scope and Contents Volume containing minutes of ordinary meetings and details of the Society's business. This includes the nomination and election of members such as Henry Briggs in 1908. It also details excursions taken by the society, including one lead by Benjamin Neeve Peach to Lanarkshire. Papers read at meetings and publications in Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society are also covered. There is also an obituary to Charles Lapworth. Presidents during this...
Dates: 1897-1924
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No 10, 1924-1944

 Item — Volume MS 2919.2: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/10
Scope and Contents Volume containing minutes of ordinary meetings and details of the Society's business. This includes the nomination and election of members. It also details excursions taken by the society, papers read at meetings and publications in Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society are also covered. There are also obituaries to Benjamin Neeve Peach and Henry Moubray Cadell and details of the Clough Memorial Medal for geological work in Scotland and the north of...
Dates: 1924-1944
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No 11, 1944-1954

 Item — Volume MS 2920.1: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/11
Scope and Contents Volume containing minutes of ordinary meetings and details of the Society's business. This includes the nomination and election of members, accounts, reports and communications from other societies. There are details of excursions taken by the society and papers read at meetings. A large number of items are pasted into the notebook. These include billets of meetings, billets of excursions, lists of office-bearers and reports by office-bearers. Newspaper clippings, giving reports...
Dates: 1944-1954
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No 12, 1954-1964

 Item — Volume MS 2920.2: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/12
Scope and Contents Volume containing minutes of ordinary meetings and details of the Society's business. This includes the nomination and election of members, accounts, reports and communications from other societies. There are details of excursions taken by the society and papers read at meetings and notices relating to the Clough Memorial Research Fund. A large number of items are pasted into the notebook. These include billets of meetings, billets of excursions, lists of office-bearers and...
Dates: 1954-1964
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No 13, 1964-1972

 Item — Volume MS 2921.1: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/13
Scope and Contents

Volume containing minutes of ordinary meetings and details of the Society's business. This includes the nomination and election of members, accounts and reports. There are also details of papers read at meetings. A large number of items are pasted into the notebook. These include billets of meetings, lists of office-bearers and reports by office-bearers.

Dates: 1964-1972
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No 14, 1972-1982

 Item — Volume MS 2921.2: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-4/1/14
Scope and Contents

Binder containing minutes of ordinary meetings and details of the Society's business. This includes the nomination and election of members, accounts and reports by office bearers. There are also details of papers read at meetings and awards presented.

Dates: 1972-1982
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

Minute Book No I, 04 December 1834 - 13 August 1840

 Item — Volume MS 2917.1: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/1
Scope and Contents Small notebook containing minutes of meetings. These include: details of membership and those which attended each meeting, details of the development of "laws of the society" including subscription rates, and details of mineral and book purchases. A proposed merger with the Cuverian Society is also noted. Geological questions discussed and conclusions reached are minuted. These include "Is coal of vegetable origin?", "Is Arthur's Seat of acqueous or volcanic origin?" and "What...
Dates: 04 December 1834 - 13 August 1840
Found in: University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections / Records of Edinburgh Geological Society / Minutes of General Meetings

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