Clive Gamble writes about the discovery of two famous photographs in the Geological Society’s archives. Two of the most famous photographs in the history of archaeology have come to light in the archives of the Geological Society. These are the pictures of the Fréville Pit at St Acheul, Amiens, France, which were taken on the … Continue reading
Category Archives: Library
The Congress that was all but cancelled!
Fifty years ago this week the 23rd International Geological Congress had just started meeting in Prague. Over 4000 geologists were making their way to the capital of Czechoslovakia, which that year seemed to be enjoying a relaxation in the political regime. Although, as the Congress approached, the political situation was becoming more tense, with Russia … Continue reading
Door 23: A Geological Voyage through History 3 – A Plutonic Duel Avoided
Door 12: (Penny) Dreadful Fellows No.2
Door nine: A fossil fish is for life, not just for Christmas*
A christmas present for the geologist who has everything…. Continue reading
Door six: (Penny) Dreadful Fellows
Door two: Geology Down Under
William Smith’s County Maps
William Smith, the ‘father of English geology’, is famous for creating the first geological map of a country – the ‘Map that changed the world.’ One of his famous geological maps of England and Wales now hangs in our entrance hall at Burlington House, where visitors still flock to see it. But what did he … Continue reading
Shedding light on the mystery of the Library’s ‘Pilkington Glass’ chandeliers
Visitors to the Library of the Geological Society often ask about our stunning chandeliers, but up until now we’ve not been able to tell them much. It depends on who you ask – rumour has it that they are made from Pilkington Glass, while others state that in fact they were gifts from the Pilkington … Continue reading
Publishing maps: a cautionary tale
Visitors to the building may notice an addition to the Lower Library – a display about the fortunes and misfortunes of one the UK’s most famous geologists never to be a Fellow, William Smith. Smith’s most celebrated achievement, the first geological map of a complete country, now hangs in our entrance hall, but he didn’t … Continue reading
