William Smith, 1769-1839, in 1801 created the first geological map of England, Wales and southern Scotland. In 1815 he published Delineation of Strata of England and three years later Strata Identified by Organized Fossils. His fossil collection is on display at the British Museum. These studies showed clearly that life-forms changed across time, thus heralding the work of Darwin and, by implication, challenging a literal interpretation of the text of the Book of Genesis (the first book of the Old Testament).
Smith spent most of his adult life as an itinerant engineer for canal and mining companies as well as being self supporting while pursuing his studies around the country. This remarkable man was largely self-taught, faced many privations throughout his life and was only credited by academic society towards the end of his life.
(More to Follow).
On Humber bank first cow-parsley seen in flower. Fine display of daffodils in their first season around the ‘Redoubt Copse’ plantation in Baysgarth Park, Barton. All three colours of violet plants, white, light blue and dark blue, in flower beside Middlegate above South Ferriby churchyard an near the big quarry. Last Autumn dug-up all my perennial garden and replanted the flower roots in nice rows for ease of maintenance – very little sign of growth as yet!