This event is part of the Geologist’s Association Annual Conference, being held in Edinburgh 15-17 October 2021. The reception at the Playfair Library of the University of Edinburgh is open to all, and gives an opportunity to view the Lyell notebooks and correspondence followed by a wine and canape reception.

Sir Charles Lyell (1797 – 1875) was highly regarded and recognised as one of the outstanding scientists in an age of remarkable thinkers and is credited with providing the framework that helped Darwin develop his evolutionary theories. His 294 notebooks capture in remarkable detail his daily engagement with scientific and social issues. They contain lively field notes, travel accounts, as well as queries and discussions on the letters and books he was reading. They also include details of his thoughts on social and political issues such as slavery in the United States of America, women in science and university education, as well as his valuable relationships with some of the most interesting and influential people of the nineteenth century.

Following a successful campaign, Lyell’s remarkable notebooks are now in the University of Edinburgh’s collections. The University’s acquisition of Charles Lyell’s notebooks provide an outstanding opportunity to make them fully and freely accessible for the first time. Through conservation and digitisation the collection will be shared online and made available for collaborative and creative working.

More about the Lyell collection – https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/library-museum-gallery/cultural-heritage-collections/crc/sir-charles-lyell-collection

Booking essential: https://geologistsassociation.org.uk/conferencebooking/

An event in the Scottish Geology Festival, organised by the Scottish Geology Trust.
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