Uniformitarianism geology is all that has been taught since shortly after the word geology was coined in 1778. He is best known as the author of principles of geology, which presented uniformitarianismthe idea that the earth was shaped by the same scientific processes still in operation todayto the broad general public. Theory of the earth was a publication by james hutton which laid the foundations for geology. This idea, uniformitarianism, was used by charles lyell in his work, and lyells textbook was an important influence on charles darwin. This frontispiece image illustrates the main point of the book. Lyell crafted a powerful lens for viewing the history. James hutton and charles lyell how did they influence modern geology. One of the most important british scientists in history, lyell wrote principles of geology, a landmark work in geology that explores james hutton s doctrine of uniformitarianism.
Lyell was an acquaintance of robert fitzroy, captain of the hms beagle on darwins voyages. James hutton, charles lyell and the edinburgh geological. Its 2,8 pages prompted playfair to remark that the great size of the book, and. Geologia, james hutton 17261797, charles lyell 17971875. Lyells version of geology came to be known as uniformitarianism, because of his fierce insistence that the processes that alter the earth are uniform through time. Charles lyell 17971875 was a wellknown english geologist. Biography of james hutton, founder of modern geology. Sir charles lyell, 1st baronet, frs 14 november 1797 22 february 1875 was a scottish geologist who demonstrated the power of known natural causes in explaining earths history. The blasphemous geologist who rocked our understanding of. Both james hutton and charles lyell are considered the fathers of uniformitarianism geology. Publication of the principles of geology placed him among the recognized leaders of his field, compelling him to devote more time to scientific affairs. Playfairs book fell into favor with charles lyell, who was born in. Like hutton, lyell viewed the history of earth as being vast and directionless. Sir charles lyell was the most famous lawyer and geologist of his time.
Through carefully reasoned natural observation of features in the coastlines and landscape. Charles darwin read, and was much influenced by, lyells principles of. In the book, lyell argued that gradual geological processes have gradually shaped earths surface. Darwin took lyell s book,principles of geology, with him on the beagle. From this, lyell inferred that earth must be far older than most people believed.
Fitzroy gave darwin a copy of principles of geology. During these years he gained the friendship of men like darwin and the astronomer sir john herschel. Sir charles lyell, 1st baronet, frs was a scottish geologist who popularised the revolutionary work of james hutton. Often referred to as the father of modern geology, his work played a key role in establishing geology as a modern science.
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