Geikie, Archibald, Sir, 28 December 1835 – 10 November 1924 (Professor of Geology, University of Edinburgh)
Biographical History
Sir Archibald Geikie was born at Edinburgh in 1835, the son of John Stuart Geikie, businessman, and composer, and Isabella Thom. He married Alice Gabrielle Pignatel in 1871. His education was at Black's school, then Edinburgh High School and he showed a great aptitude for study and his interest in science was furthered in the direction of geology when he and his friends discovered fossils at Burdiehouse quarries. Geikie was influenced by scientists such as naturalist John Fleming, to whom he was introduced by his father, and by the many books on geolgy which he consumed, most notably Hugh Miller's Old Red Sandstone.
Geikie's professional life began initially in banking, which he did not enjoy and 1851 saw his a newspaper publication of his Three Weeks in Arran by a Young Geologist, which led to an introduction to Hugh Miller. He also became acquainted with publisher Alexander Macmillan, geologist James David Forbes and Andrew Crombie Ramsay. The banking career abandoned, he matriculated at the University of Edinburgh in 1854 but had to leave the following year for financial reasons. A recommendation by both Miller and Ramsay to Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, newly appointed head of the Geological Survey, secured Geikie a position there as mapping assistant. The following years saw him make the acquaintance of distinguished scientists such as Leonard Horner and Sir Charles Lyell.
His official work was supplemented by research during his holiday time, travelling throughout the British Isles and Europe. 1867 saw him appointed director of the newly created branch, the Scottish Geological Survey. When Murchison founded the chair of geology in 1870 at the University of Edinburgh, Geikie was his choice as professor and he was appointed the following year.
Geikie's field and research work took him all over the British Isles and to many parts of Europe. He successfully combined his duties to both posts as well as devoting time to private research and writing. As well as his scientific writings, Geikie wrote several well-known biographical and historical books including Memoirs of Sir Roderick Impey Murchison (1875), Andrew Crombie Ramsay (1895), Edward Forbes (1861), and Founders of Geology (1897). 1924 saw the publication of his own autobiography.
He went on to succeed Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay as head of the Geological Survey of Great Britain in 1881, which he held until his retiral in 1901. This saw him relocate to London and take a more active role in many scientific societies. Those relating to the Royal Society, he took particular interest in after his retiral, serving as secretary and president.
Noteable Publications
Chronology:
- 1865
- Scenery of Scotland
- Account of the Progress of the Geological Survey in Scotland
- 1873
- Physical Geography
- Colliers of Carrick
- 1875
- Life of Sir Roderick I Murchison, Bart.
- 1877
- Outlines of Field Geology
- Elementary Lessons in Field Geology
- 1882
- Text-book of Geology
- Geological Sketches at Home and Abroad
- 1886
- Classbook of Geology; Illustrated with Woodcuts
- Geology
- 1895
- Memoir of Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay
- 1897
- Founders of Geology
- Ancient Volcanoes of Great Britain
- 1906
- History of the Geography of Scotland; with Maps and Illustrations
- 1907
- French Impression of Scotland and the Scots in the Year 1784
- 1909
- Charles Darwin as Geologist
- 1916
- Birds of Shakespeare
- 1917
- Annals of the Royal Society Club: the Record of a London Dining-Club in the Eighteenth and Nineteenth Centuries
Honours, Qualifications and Appointments
Chronology:
- 1861
- Elected Fellow, Royal Society of Edinburgh
- 1865
- Elected Fellow, Royal Society of London
- 1867
- Appointed Director, Scottish Geological Survey
- 1870
- Appointed First Professor of Geology, the University of Edinburgh
- 1881
- Appointed Head, Geological Survey
- Awarded Murchison Medal
- 1890
- Appointed President, Geological Society
- Knighthood
- 1895
- Awarded Woolaston Meda
- 1896
- Awarded Royal Medal, Royal Society of London
- 1907
- Appointed Knight Commander, Order of the Bath
- 1910
- Appointed President, the Classical Association
Sources
Dictionary of Scientific Biography, Volume II , ( New York, Scribner's, 1981)
Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:
Correspondence concerning the compilation of 'Memoir of Edward Forbes', 1854-1861
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 25 February 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan with comment on the first 4 chapters of his Memoirs of Edward Forbes, ( 1861) and advice for future chapters. He suggests printing the book in Edinburgh. He comments that he does not expect any further opposition to the book fom Emily M Yelverton and has had further endorsements for the book from Thomas Henry Huxley and Robert Alfred Cloyne Godwin-Austen.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 24 September 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan telling him that Jessie Aitken Wilson's biography of her brother George Wilson has already gone to press. He urges Sir Archibald Geikie to proceed with sending the initial chapters of 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes' to press and arrange an engraver for the illustrations. He also encloses some material from Joseph Beete Jukes and tells him he has forwarded a parcel from Robert Alfred Cloyne Godwin-Austen.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 15 October 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan forwarding some material from Joseph Beete Jukes with permission to use it [in 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes']. Alexander MacMillan agrees to the use of a portrait of [Edward Forbes] taken by Antoine Francois Jean Claudet as soon as he has heard from Emily M Yelverton.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 31 October 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan telling him that John Van Voorst will send him copies of Edward Forbes introductory lectures at King's College. He tells him that the printer, Thomas Constable is unable to produce a reliable estimate until the final length of the book ['Memoirs of Edward Forbes'] is decided.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 10 November 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan asking for confirmation that he has received copies of Edward Forbes introductory lectures at King's College from John Van Voorst and urging him to liaise with Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay and Joseph Beete Jukes concerning which of Edward Forbes' own drawing to include in his biography.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 07 December 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 14 December 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan concerning the layout of 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes' and asking him to remind Thomas Henry Huxley that he had promised to write a forward to the book.