Cambridge Library Collection - Earth Science
3 total works
John William Salter (1820–1869) was an English naturalist and geologist, best known for his work as palaeontologist to the Geological Survey of Great Britain. This is a complete catalogue of the Cambrian and Silurian fossils in the Geological Museum at the University of Cambridge. Preceded by a detailed introductory section on the Palæozoic system, the catalogue is arranged by geological strata, covering the various groups of Cambrian and Silurian fossils. The entries include detailed illustrations, along with references to the location of each fossil in the collection, its name and details of its place of origin. Revised by staff of the University and published posthumously in 1873, the catalogue also contains a substantial preface by Adam Sedgwick, famous for his role in the development of modern geology,which provides fascinating insights into the geological advances of the Victorian era.
A Complete Guide to the English Lakes, Comprising Minute Directions for the Tourist
by Adam Sedgwick and William Wordsworth
Published 2 December 2010
First published in 1853, this is a comprehensive guide to the British Lake District. It features contributions from William Wordsworth and the geologist Adam Sedgwick, as well as a number of shorter sections by local experts on subjects such as botany and toponymy. The first part comprises detailed descriptions of the major towns and villages of the area, providing recommended routes and excursions for tourists. This is followed by Wordsworth's description of the scenery of the Lake District, offering fascinating observations on the natural formation of the landscape and the influence of human settlement. The latter part consists of a series of five letters on the geological structure of the area, written by Sedgwick between 1842 and 1853. Illustrated with detailed maps of the area, this is a key text for those interested in the history of tourism in the Lake District and its development in the Victorian period.
A Synopsis of the Classification of the British Palaeozoic Rocks
by Adam Sedgwick
Published 13 September 2013
Adam Sedgwick (1785-1873), one of the founders of modern geology, was Woodwardian Professor of Geology at Cambridge from 1818 until his death. During his career, advances in stratigraphy and palaeontology revolutionised the subject, and Sedgwick participated in heated controversies about the classification of the oldest rocks. His fieldwork companions included John Stevens Henslow, Roderick Murchison and the young Charles Darwin, and the specimens he acquired propelled the Cambridge geological collection to international importance. Sedgwick invited a young Irish palaeontologist, Frederick McCoy (1821-99), to catalogue the collection. In 1854 McCoy moved to Melbourne, Australia, where he spent the rest of his career energetically promoting scientific education and creating another impressive museum. Sedgwick oversaw the publication in 1855 of McCoy's catalogue of Palaeozoic fossils. His substantial introduction reveals Sedgwick's insistence on scientific precision and his growing impatience with rival proposals, which later culminated in his sceptical response to evolutionary theory.