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Edinburgh Geological Society

 Organization

Dates

  • Existence: 1834-

Biography

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 5 Collections and/or Records:

Library catalogue, c1886-1913

 Item — Volume MS 2927.1
Identifier: Coll-43/4
Scope and Contents

Handwritten volume of the Edinburgh Geological Society library catalogue including record of periodical parts received.

Dates: c1886-1913

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

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

Minute Book No III, 07 July 1842 - 02 May 1850

 Item — Volume MS 2917.3: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/3
Scope and Contents Notebook containing minutes of meetings. Membership details include: details of new and retiring members, those who attended each meeting and deaths. Newspaper obituaries for George Sanderson and Hugh Smith are pasted into the book. The financial affairs of the Society are reported, and a newspaper clipping with the annual report for 1847 included. Details of the development of the society library are minuted. Abstracts of member's papers are minuted, along with the resultant...
Dates: 07 July 1842 - 02 May 1850

Minute Book No V, 16 January 1862 - 26 October 1863

 Item — Volume MS 2917.5: Series Coll-43/1
Identifier: Coll-43/1/5
Scope and Contents Notebook containing minutes of both council and general meetings, including an alphabetical index at the beginning of the book and 172 numbered pages. Full details of the Society's business is recorded including: details of honorary, corresponding and normal membership, details of office-bearers and their election, financial details, reports on the Society's general business, plans and reports on a Conversazione held on 15 March 1863, details of donations for the Society's...
Dates: 16 January 1862 - 26 October 1863

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Edinburgh -- Scotland 4
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