Life, Letters and Journals of Sir Charles Lyell, Bart

The first published biography of geologist Sir Charles Lyell (1797–1875) containing selected letters and extracts from his journal.

Charles Lyell (Author), K. M. Lyell (Edited by)

9781108017848, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 11 November 2010

492 pages, 2 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.62 kg

Sir Charles Lyell (1797–1875) was one of the most renowned geologists of the nineteenth century. He was awarded the Copley Medal by the Royal Society in 1858 and the Wollaston Medal by the Geological Society of London in 1866 for his contributions to geology. Lyell's most important contribution to modern geology was his refining and popularising the geological concept of uniformitarianism, the idea that the earth has been formed through slow-acting geological forces. This biography, first published in 1881 and edited by his sister-in-law K. M. Lyell, provides an intimate view of Lyell's personal and professional life through the inclusion of his correspondence with family, friends and academic peers. His changing ideas concerning the validity of the theory of natural selection and other geological ideas are also examined through the inclusion of extracts from his private journal. Volume 1 covers Lyell's early life and career until 1836.

1. November 1797–1812–14
2. February 1816–November 1817
3. June, July 1818
4. July–September 1818
5. September 1820–July 1823
6. July 1823–October 1824
7. July 1825–December 1827
8. January–September 1828
9. October 1828–January 1829
10. January–December 1829
11. February–August 1830
12. August–November 1830
13. February–September 1831
14. September–December 1831
15. January–May 1832
16. June 1832–April 1834
17. May–June 1834
18. June–December 1834
19. January–December 1835
20. February–December 1836.

Subject Areas: Geological surface processes [geomorphology RBGD]