Sir Charles Lyell (1797-1875) wrote many geological papers, mainly published by the Geological Society of London (1807-present day), but his reputation rests almost entirely on his work Principles of Geology, ( 1830-1833) inspired in part by a European tour with Sir Roderick Impey Murchison and also his knowledge of James Hutton's Theory of the Earth. In this work, first published in three volumes, Lyell propounded his theory of uniformitarianism, which holds that all geological formations can be explianed solely in terms of natural processes which can be observed in operation today. This ran counter to the prevailing theory which assumed that mountain-building and other geological phenomena could only have occurred as a result of major cataclysmic events in the past. Lyell's uniformitarianism was developed in order to reject the progressionism implicit in the prevailing theory, which he saw as leading to evolution, an idea which he strongly opposed. Ironically, Lyell's opposition to evolution brought the idea to scientists' attention and the vast time scales required by uniformitarianism enabled Darwin to conceive of his version of evolutionary theory. Lyell's other works include: The Elements of Geology, ( 1837) Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man, ( 1863-1873).
Charles Lyell's father was an active naturalist, and Lyell had access to an elaborate library which included works on geology. Whilst at Oxford University he attended lectures by William Buckland, professor of geology, that triggered his enthusiasm for the subject. He became more and more interested in the subject and made many geological tours with his family in England and Scotland in 1817, and on the Continent the following year, the first of many trips abroad. In 1828 he explored the volcanic region of the Auvergne, then went to Mount Etna to gather supporting evidence for the theory of geology he would expound in his Principles of Geology . He also made numerous tours of the United States, described in Travels in North America, ( 1909) . His writings deal with the rock cycle, which explains how one type of rock is transformed into another. Lyell also expounds notions on volcanic forces, deposition, erosion and palaeontology in his writings. His work helped to establish the modern study of geology and geologic time. In addition to rock formation, he also wrote about palaeontology. It was Lyell who proposed the idea of reference fossils - fossils which are indicative of certain periods of geologic time. He divided geologic time into four periods: Pleistocene, Older Pliocene, Miocene and Eocene. His final work, The Antiquity of Man, ( 1863) , was a wide-ranging study of the human fossil record. In this work Lyell finally accepted Darwinian evolution, but still tried to insist that there was a radical discontinuity between humankind and the rest of the animal kingdom.
In 1823 Lyell was appointed secretary of the Geological Society of London, and 3 years later they made him their foreign secretary. He was twice President in 1836 and 1850. Lyell was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1826. He was awarded a Royal Medal in 1834 and the Copley Medal in 1858 and in 1866 he was awarded the Wollaston Medal. In 1832 he was the first professor of geology at King's College, London, and became President of the British Association in 1864.
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains Lyell's geological notes on the Pyrenees, including pencil sketches and descriptions, mostly of cliff faces and volcanic landscapes. The front cover is blank, and the index is a page adhered to the 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 surrogates using the platform...
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains pencil notes, sketches with labels, artistic sketches, long form essays on geological phenomena, mostly focused on the Pyrenees region and the Canary Islands. This notebook has an inserted index, attached to the binding - by Lyell or someone else? - with thick black thread. The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning and end of the...
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains Charles Lyell's notes in pencil in France, Portugal, and Spain with detailed sketches and drawings. The cover is plain, and the index is glued to the back. 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. When known, Lyell's abbreviations and...
Scope and Contents
This plain leather brown notebook contains notes on present and future changes, progressive development, climate in Paris, and lists to consult with Deshayes. The front cover is blank and the first few pages are missing. Lyell's notes are mostly in pen, and there are many drafts with slashes, few sketches. Transcription note: The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the beginning and end...
Scope and Contents
This is a plain leather brown notebook which contains notes for the 2nd volume of Principles of Geology, on a multitude of subjects and referencing work by other emininent geologists, Lamarck and Cuvier. The first few pages have been cut out. Lyell's notes are mostly in pen, many drafts with slashes, and a few sketches. Transcription note: The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from Lyell's own "Index", found at the...
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains Charles Lyell's notes from a visit to Horsham, Hastings, Lewes. Notes are primarily made in pencil with sketches.
The front cover is labeled March 1831. Transcription note: 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. When known, Lyell's...
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains two different handwriting styles, one definitively Lyell's. On p. 65 is "The Landing of the Pilgrims fathers in New England" dated 13 July 1851, handwriting differs from Lyell's; largely notes in pencil, subjects include Captain Cook on Mercia earthquake, volcanic activity, Sandwich island. The front cover reads "June 1831", the back page is missing, and the index is pasted to the back cover. Transcription...
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Tour in the Eifel; Discussion of oraters of elevationThis marbled cover paper notebook contains Lyell's ntoes from his tour in the Eifel, including disucssion of aoraters of elevation. Sketches are in pencil and daily notes on german geological phenomena. There is no title on the front cover, and the index is adhered to the back cover. Subjects include: Lave near Castleberg, Papenkoul, dolomite, Mosenberg, Steinborn The...
Scope and Contents
This brown leather notebook contains Lyell's notes from London and Edinburgh, with lists including "luggage per steamboat" and packings lists, a draft of opening of a second volume, and a sketch of Edinburgh Castle hill with diagram of geological layers. Notes are written in pencil and ink, with many revisions. The front cover reads "August 1831, London, Edin[burgh]." The following table of contents is Lyell's own words, copied from...
Scope and Contents
This brown Leather notebook contains Charles Lyell's aide de memoires (to-do lists), notes with mentions of Kinnordy, mathematical calculations, sketches, reviews of articles. The front cover reads "Jan[uary] 1832", and the index is adhered to the 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 surrogates using the...
