Edinburgh Geological Society
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 49 Collections and/or Records:
Congratulatory letter from the Perthshire Society of Natural Science, 1934
Letter from the Perthshire Society of Natural Science congratulating the Edinburgh Geological Society on reaching its centenary.
Congratulatory letter from the Royal Dublin Society, 1934
Letter from the Royal Dublin Society congratulating the Edinburgh Geological Society on reaching its centenary.
Congratulatory letter from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, 1934
Letter from the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences congratulating the Edinburgh Geological Society on reaching its centenary.
Congratulatory letter from the Société de Physique et d'Histoire naturelle de Genève, 1934
Letter from the Société de Physique et d'Histoire naturelle de Genève congratulating the Edinburgh Geological Society on reaching its centenary.
Congratulatory letter from the Université de Liège, 1934
Letter from the Université de Liège congratulating the Edinburgh Geological Society on reaching its centenary.
Correspondence and invoices relating to geological excursions, 1950-1957
Miscellany consists of:
- blank stationery
- correspondence
- details of excursions
- invoices
Excursions Committee, 1939-1949
Notebook containing minutes of the Excursions Committee and dates and places of geological excursions.
Group photograph of members of the Edinburgh Geological Society, September 1934
Group photograph of members of the Edinburgh Geological Society during its centenary celebrations, with numbered overlay and list of names.
Laws of the Edinburgh Geological Society, 1845-1982
Laws of the Edinburgh Geological Society consist of:
- 18 printed pamphlets
Lecture posters, 1973-1984
Lecture posters consists of:
- 6 A4 size posters
Additional filters:
- Type
- Archival Object 48
- Collection 1
- Subject
- Membership 19
- Corporate Minutes 16
- Meetings 15
- Nominations for Membership 13
- Societies, Geological 13
- Accounts 10
- Edinburgh -- Scotland 8
- Scholarly Publishing 8
- Finance 7
- Collection Development (Libraries) 4
- Fieldwork 4
- Geology 4
- Minerals 4
- Printing 4
- Astronomy 3
- Coal 3
- Geology Museums 3
- Mineralogy 3
- Advertising 2
- Awards 2
- Flood, Biblical 2
- Glacial Theory 2
- Speeches, Addresses etc 2
- Stationery 2
- Volcanism 2
- Administration 1
- Arran Buteshire Scotland 1
- Clay 1
- Cramond (Edinburgh, Scotland) 1
- Dinosaurs 1
- Eigg Inverness-shire Scotland 1
- England 1
- Geologists 1
- Geology | Societies, etc. | 1
- Geology, Stratigraphic Carboniferous 1
- Invoices 1
- Isle of Bute Buteshire Scotland 1
- Lanarkshire (Scotland) 1
- Lectures and Lecturing 1
- Leith, Water of (Scotland) 1
- Libraries 1
- Microscopy 1
- Midlothian (Scotland) 1
- North Berwick (Scotland) 1
- Old Red Sandstone 1
- Periodicals 1
- Periodicals, Publishing 1
- Professional Associations 1
- Scotland 1
- Study, Courses of 1
- Theory of Evolution 1
- Transportation 1 + ∧ less