Dates
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Existence: 22 February 1792
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22 October 1871
Biography
Sir Roderick Impey Murchison ( 1792-1871), developed the modern classification of the Palaeozoic period, through his research emphasising biostratigraphy; the deposition of strata indicated by fossils. In the course of his career he successively defined the Silurian, Devonian and Permian strata, which replaced Greywacke and Coal Measures in the scientific literature.
After serving with the army in the Peninsula War and a period of time pursuing his interest in hunting, the independently wealthy Murchison began attending lectures at the Royal Institution. In 1825 he joined the Geological Society of London. Shortly afterwards he read the society his first paper, on the geology of parts of Sussex, Hampshire and Surrey. In the following five years Murchison made field explorations to Scotland, France, and the Alps with either Adam Sedgwick or Charles Lyell. In 1831 he began a study of the Early Palaeozoic rocks in South Wales. These studies were the basis of his defining work The Silurian System, ( 1839) . Further geological research in south western England and the Rhineland, in collaboration with Adam Sedgwick, defined the Devonian System. Russian field expeditions, in conjunction with French colleagues, became the basis for the definition of the Permian System. These expeditions also resulted in his works The Geology of Russia in Europe, ( 1845) and The Ural Mountains, ( 1845) . Successive editions of his expanded treatise on the Silurian System, Siluria, ( 1854) (5th ed. 1872) were also prepared. Latterly he became interested in encouraging geographical exploration and colonialism.
Murchison was president of the Geological Society of London in both 1831-1832 and 1842-1843 and became long term president of the Royal Geographical Society in 1844. As one of the founders of the British Association he was elected president for 1846. He was knighted in 1846 and also awarded the Russian Order of St. Stanislaus of the 1st Class. Appointments as director general of the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and director of the Government School of Mines and the Museum of Economic Geology, London, followed in 1855. From 1863-1871 he was Patron of the Edinburgh Geological Society during which time he was raised to a Baronet. In 1871 he founded a Chair of Geology and Mineralogy at the University of Edinburgh.
Found in 49 Collections and/or Records:
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 1: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/9
Scope and Contents
This notebook of brown leather contains geological notes on the Auvergne region. Lyell writes in a journalistic style with daily observations and descriptions, with whole page sketches and diagrams of the landscape. The inside cover is written "Mr C Lyell No. 9 Crown Office Row Temple." The front plate reads "No 2 France, Clermont Ferrand, Auvergne, May 18th to June 2nd 1828." The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied...
Dates:
18 May 1828-2 June 1828
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 1: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/10
Scope and Contents
This notebook of brown leather contains further geological observations in Auvergne, often as diary entries of daily observations. On the front cover plate is written "No 3. France Pont du Chateau to Murol May 28th to June 14th 1828". The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning and end of the notebook, transcribed from digital surrogates using the platform Transkribus....
Dates:
28 May 1828-14 June 1828
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 3: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/58
Scope and Contents
This black leather notebook contains notes from Charles Lyell on geological observations in Britain, Paris and Neufchatel. Adddresses of correspondents are throughout the notebook, and referenced in Lyell's Own Index. The index is pasted to the back cover, and the front cover reads "No 58, July + August 1835, Paris + Neufchatel". The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning...
Dates:
2 July 1835- August 1835
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 3: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/62
Scope and Contents
In this green leather notebook, Lyell's notes focus on Scottish and British geology, and planning for Principles and Elements of Geology. He and Mary visit the Isle of Arran for the first time, their visit referenced in Leonard Wilson's book. Spectacular drawings of Goatfell, envisioning lava veins, as well as line drawings of the landscape. Notes are written in pencil and ink, with tables, illustrations, lists, and draft letters. The...
Dates:
3 February 1836-12 August 1836
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 3: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/63
Lyell's Own Index
This black leather notebook contains Lyell's notes on current scholarship from other well-known natural history colleagues, including Darwin, Deshayes, Blackadder, Owen, and more. Notes are made in pencil and ink with some sketches. The index is pasted to the back cover, and the front cover is blank. This notebook has a reference in the index on page 56, to 'Darwin St Helena Shells' which links to a specimen held by the Cockburn Geological Museum reference EUCM.0180.2013....
Dates:
August 1836- April 1837
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 3: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/70
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains notes by Charles Lyell on a variety of subjects, including geological observations from various pits in Britain, notes on the latest edition of Elements of Geology, and addresses of correspondents. The front and back cover are blank, index is located at the back of the notebook, p. 172. The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning and...
Dates:
17 January 1838- April 1838
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 3: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/73
Scope and Contents
The red leather notebook includes Charles Lyell's geological observations, sketches, some essays with queries, and a list of species names of the Geological Society Museum collection. There are many references to Charles Darwin. The index is on p. 140, inside back cover. The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning and end of the notebook, transcribed from digital...
Dates:
22 November 1838-13 March 1839
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 4: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/85
Scope and Contents
This marbled paper and red leather notebook includes Charles Lyell's geological notes on Kinnordy and surrounding area, as well as other areas of Scotland, illustrated with a watercolor cross section on page 61. There are also 'to do' lists, notes on correspondence sent, meeting agendas and lists of persons to whom papers were sent, and notes on conversations with Agassiz. He makes more observations on glacial moraines, and lists of Faluns fossils. Notes are in pencil and ink and complete...
Dates:
21 October 1840-8 December 1840
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 4: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/88
Scope and Contents
This green leather notebook contains diverse notes by Lyell, including lists, observations, sketches, and plans for future tours to Wales and North America. Notes are in pencil and ink. There is a sketch of a compass p. 21, and a list of books on American geology at the Geological Society of London on p. 101. The index is the last three pages of the notebook, both covers are unmarked. The following table of contents is Lyell's own words,...
Dates:
16 June 1841-23 July 1841
Item — Box Lyell-temp-box 9: Series Coll-203/A1
Identifier: Coll-203/A1/249
Scope and Contents
Red leather bound notebook, dated July 30 1863 to April 1864 covering Lyell's research in Wales, including mountains - Moel Tryfan, Snowdon - quarries caves and beaches. Lists significant corrections necessary for 'Antiquity of Man'. Lyell's own index Index
July 30 1863 to April 1864
p. 1 Llanberis. Lakes of
- [Llanberis] Perched block
- Tarn near in [perched block]
p. 3 Absence of shells...
Dates:
30 July 1863- April 1864
