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Author Topic:   Charles Lyell (in America) Book
Bill Birkeland
Member (Idle past 2531 days)
Posts: 165
From: Louisiana
Joined: 01-30-2003


Message 1 of 4 (93053)
03-17-2004 11:20 PM


For a wonderful book concerning Charles Lyell, I would
recommend "Lyell in America: Transatlantic Geology,
1841-1853"By Leonard G. Wilson.
The blurb about it states:
"Blends detailed scientific observations with a colorful
travelogue in the study of Charles Lyell. A pioneering
geologist from Scotland, he was one of the 19th
century's most important and controversial scientists.
Johns Hopkins, 429 pages."
Currently, it is available at:
Page Not Found - HamiltonBook.com
Yours,
Bill

Replies to this message:
 Message 2 by RAZD, posted 03-18-2004 12:20 PM Bill Birkeland has replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1404 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 2 of 4 (93145)
03-18-2004 12:20 PM
Reply to: Message 1 by Bill Birkeland
03-17-2004 11:20 PM


see also
Amazon review (click)
quote:
Charles Lyell was a pioneering 19th-century geologist, and Charles Darwin's mentor. During his travels throughout America, he looked for evidence to confirm his theory of the uniformity of geological history, and made insightful observations about American society and the continent's regional differences. This study blends detailed scientific observations with colorful travelogue to chronicle his travels, and draws on previously unpublished letters and journals as well as Lyell's published writings. Includes b&w illustrations. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR
Without Lyell's time frame Darwin would have had more difficulty with his theories. (Note to C'ists ... it's all Lyells fault ... )

This message is a reply to:
 Message 1 by Bill Birkeland, posted 03-17-2004 11:20 PM Bill Birkeland has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 3 by Bill Birkeland, posted 03-18-2004 7:44 PM RAZD has replied

  
Bill Birkeland
Member (Idle past 2531 days)
Posts: 165
From: Louisiana
Joined: 01-30-2003


Message 3 of 4 (93229)
03-18-2004 7:44 PM
Reply to: Message 2 by RAZD
03-18-2004 12:20 PM


Geologic Column
The review that AbbyLeveer quoted stated:
"During his travels throughout America, he looked for evidence to
confirm his theory of the uniformity of geological history,..."
An equally important goal of Lyell in visiting North America was to test how far from Europe that the periods and epochs, which comprise the Geologic Column and described and developed from outcrops in Europe, could be recognize. This book stated:
"Lyell came to America in part to learn whether his classification
of European Tertiary formations would prove applicable to the
American Tertiary. It did. The strata of the Atlantic coastal
plain were Eocene, Miocene, and Pliocene, each with the same
proportion of extinct to living species among their fossils as
those of Europe."
As noted in the book, Lyell also found that other parts of the geologic column, i.e. the Cretaceous, Carbonifreous, Devonian, and Silurian Periods also could be recognized in North America on the basis of their fossil content. His visit confirmed that the Geologic Column was real and significant aspect of geology and biostratigraphy was a valid method of correlating strata.
AbbyLeveer stated:
"Without Lyell's time frame Darwin would have had more difficulty
with his theories. (Note to C'ists ... it's all Lyells fault ... )"
Ultimately, the person that C'sts should blame is not Lyell, but William "strata" Smith, whose invention of the geologic map and biostratigraphy laid the basic groundwork for the Geologic Column and provided Lyell a framework for his research and ideas.
Some web pages:
1. William Smith (1769-1839)
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/history/smith.html
2. WILLIAM "STRATA" SMITH ON THE WEB
Earth Sciences | College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Earth Sciences | College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Yours,
Bill

This message is a reply to:
 Message 2 by RAZD, posted 03-18-2004 12:20 PM RAZD has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 4 by RAZD, posted 03-18-2004 7:52 PM Bill Birkeland has not replied

  
RAZD
Member (Idle past 1404 days)
Posts: 20714
From: the other end of the sidewalk
Joined: 03-14-2004


Message 4 of 4 (93232)
03-18-2004 7:52 PM
Reply to: Message 3 by Bill Birkeland
03-18-2004 7:44 PM


Re: Geologic Column
thanks for the adds. I alsp recall reading that it was Lyells visit to the Canary Islands that cause an epiphany on the age of the earth
believe it was in the book "Song Of The Dodo" (about Wallace and his "line" of thinking ...)

we are limited in our ability to understand
by our ability to understand

This message is a reply to:
 Message 3 by Bill Birkeland, posted 03-18-2004 7:44 PM Bill Birkeland has not replied

  
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