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 15 Collections and/or Records:
Copy of letter to Alexander MacMillan from George Wilson and copy of letter to a cousin of George Wilson's from George Wilson, 16 September 1858, 03 December 1854
Copy of letter to Alexander MacMillan from George Wilson outlining the chapter headings for his 'Memoir of Edward Forbes' and copy of letter to a cousin of George Wilson's from George Wilson concerning the fate of Edward Forbes' soul.
Draft letter to Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay from Sir Archibald Geikie, 31 May 1861
Draft letter to Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay from Sir Archibald Geikie sending him the dry proofs of the Edinburgh [geological map] for correction. He discusses Ramsay's editorial comments concerning sensitive material about the School of Mines and the Geological Survey of Great Britain, and justifies their inclusion in his 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes'. He apologises that the passage has caused distress but regrets that it is now too late to remove them as the book had gone to press.
Draft letter to Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay from Sir Archibald Geikie, 05 June 1861
Draft letter to Sir Andrew Crombie Ramsay from Sir Archibald Geikie apologising for any distress caused by the publication of sensitive material from his private letters in 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes' and explaining why he was not given the opportunity to view the proofs before the book went to press.
Letter to Alexander MacMillan from DT Austed, 09 June 1861
Letter to Alexander MacMillan from DT Austed thanking him for a copy of Memoir of Edward Forbes, FRS, ( 1861) and criticising its content. He requests the return of material he submitted from Sir Archibald Geikie.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 24 October 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan with editorial notes on 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes' and suggestions for sources of more detailed information for certain portions.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 24 November 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan enclosing a letter from James Scott Bowerbank, confirming that he will lend [some manuscripts] and aspiring that they will be available by Saturday for a visit from Thomas Henry Huxley. There are also instructions from Jessie Aitken Wilson concerning the revision of portions [of 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes'] written by her brother George Wilson.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan, 28 November 1860
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Alexander MacMillan telling him that sketches have arrived from James Scott Bowerbank and that the final choice will be made with the help of Thomas Henry Huxley. He advises Geikie that he has been in further contact with Jessie Aitken Wilson who is concerned that her brother [George Wilson]'s portion [of 'Memoirs of Edward Forbes'] should not be edited.
Letter to [Sir Archibald Geikie] from David Forbes, 29 July 1860
Letter to [Sir Archibald Geikie] from David Forbes with criticism and spelling corrections for part of his book Memoir of Edward Forbes, ( 1861) .
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from George Edward Day, 02 July 1861
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from George Edward Day thanking him for a copy of Memoir of Edward Forbes, ( 1861) and suggesting some corrections, should a second edition be published.
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Henry William Bristow, 09 June 1861
Letter to Sir Archibald Geikie from Henry William Bristow thanking Geikie for his gift of a copy of Memoir of Edward Forbes, FRS, ( 1861) and praising the content.