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The Geologists' House

The remarkable work of William Smith, the 'Father of English Geology'

Thursday 9 July 2015
Bedford street 300As part of the bicentenary celebrations marking the publication of William Smith’s ‘A Delineation of the Strata of England & Wales, with part of Scotland…’ (1815), the Library hosted a special event for 60 guests in the Library's rooms at Burlington House.

Guided by our expert geological hosts, visitors to this special, promenade lecture show had the opportunity to view gems from the Society’s unique William Smith collections, entering in turn:
  • The Room of Fossils, to gain a practical introduction to William Smith’s recognition of the order of strata according to the fossils he found within them, which formed the basis of his geological studies.
  • The Room of Books, to see how William Smith developed and translated his stratigraphical theories to paper and created his seminal 1815 geological map.
  • The Room of Minerals, to contrast the different approach to the production of the Society’s ‘rival’ geological map of England & Wales issued by George Bellas Greenough in 1820 and compare the outcome.
  • The Room of Maps, to investigate William Smith’s other publishing collaborations with the cartographer John Cary and discover why they all failed, contributing to Smith’s imprisonment in a debtors’ gaol in the summer of 1819.

Online Exhibition

Find out about the life and work of William Smith in our online exhibition

Image Gallery

View a selection of images from the evening

The Geologists' House, ready for guests Our housekeeper Sarah welcoming guests Sarah introduces Smith and his map Entrance to the Room of Fossils Diana Clements and Jill Darrell introduce William Smith's fossil theories Tom Sharpe discusses Smith's seminal geological map of 1815, with the Society's earliest edition on display The Society's newly re-discovered map on display Duncan Hawley discussing the Society's 'rival' map by George Bellas Greenough in the Room of Minerals Duncan demonstrates the sources of Greenough's map Entrance to the Room of Maps John Henry explains William Smith's Sections and his collaborations with mapmaker John Cary The Society's 'Room of Maps' Our speakers (L-R), Tom Sharpe, Duncan Hawley, John Henry, Diana Clements and Jill Darrell Our housemaid Wendy at the door to The Geologists' House