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 338 Collections and/or Records: