The overlapping field of interest of geology and chemistry varied in extent and degree throughout the nineteenth century. In the ‘heroic’ days of geology, at the beginning of the century, there was a close relationship, with chemists of note displaying not only an interest but a considerable expertise in geology. Geologists who were interested in crystalline rocks, caught up in the Neptunist/Vulcanist debate, dealt with chemical aspects of their subject as a matter of course. This pattern of work persisted throughout the century on the continent of Europe, but in Britain, for a wide variety of reasons, geologists used chemical data and techniques very little, and petrology in that country suffered accordingly. However, in the second half of the century, as advances were made in the technology used by geology, especially with the polarising microscope, in the education of professional geologists and the dissemination of knowledge from Europe and the Americas, the situation improved, so much so that, by the last two decades of the century British petrology had absorbed chemical geology into its armory of skills and knowledge and was on a par with geology from elsewhere in the world.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
1 January 1986
Research Article|
November 05 2007
The Development of Chemical Geology in the Nineteenth Century with Special Reference to the Situation in Britain
Beryl Hamilton
Beryl Hamilton
1
Departments of Victorian Studies and Geography, Christ's and Notre Dame Colleges Liverpool Institute of Higher Education, Liverpool L16 8ND United Kingdom
Search for other works by this author on:
Earth Sciences History (1986) 5 (2): 114–123.
Citation
Beryl Hamilton; The Development of Chemical Geology in the Nineteenth Century with Special Reference to the Situation in Britain. Earth Sciences History 1 January 1986; 5 (2): 114–123. doi: https://doi.org/10.17704/eshi.5.2.03573265g450h751
Download citation file:
Sign in
Don't already have an account? Register
Client Account
You could not be signed in. Please check your email address / username and password and try again.
Could not validate captcha. Please try again.
Sign in via your Institution
Sign in via your Institution
4
Views
Citing articles via
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF MATHEMATICAL GEOLOGY AS DEFINED BY VISTELIUS
HANNES THIERGÄRTNER
ALBERT KOCH’S HYDRARCHOS: A HOAX OR A BONA FIDE COLLECTION OF BONES
R. BRUCE MCMILLAN