William Smith (23 March 1769 - 28 August 1839) aged 69 from a painting by , engraved and first published in the \Memoirs\" of W. Smith\" 1844
William Smith (23 March 1769 - 28 August 1839) aged 69 from a painting by , engraved and first published in the \Memoirs\" of W. Smith\" 1844 with later tinting. Smith was a self taught English geologist who, though not appreciated until late in life, is now seen as the father of English Geology. In 1815 he published the first large scale coloured map of the geology of the UK. It showed the various rock types and is quite accurate even by today's standards. He also drew pioneering geological cross sections of Britain showing the strata. His maps were plagiarised and, because of his relatively humble origins, he was not at first admitted into the learned societies. He suffered financial hardship, spending time in debtor's prison and working as an itinerant surveyor. Sir John Johnstone employed him and, realising his accomplishments, finally lead Smith to acceptance and honours."
Size: 3371px × 5184px
Photo credit: © PAUL D STEWART/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: 19th, artwork, british, century, colour, fossil, geological, geologist, geology, human, illustration, john, kingdom, map, medal, people, person, philips, portrait, section, smith, strata, stratigraphy, stratum, survey, uk, united, william, wollaston
