1797-1875

English Geologist

Charles Lyell is considered by many to be the father of modern geology. His masterwork, Principles of Geology, published between 1830 and 1833, added scientific rigor to geologic interpretations of rocks and fossils. Lyell also became the first to propose the division of the Cenozoic era (the current geologic period) into epochs based solely on fossil evidence. This led to our current understanding of geologic time and the history of Earth.

Lyell was the eldest of ten children born to Scottish parents. His father was an active naturalist who had a large library, including many books on geology, which may have sparked Charles' interest in this subject. Lyell attended Oxford, studying mathematics, law, and geology.

Upon graduation he began a legal career, but he left it quickly to pursue his interest in geology. Although unskilled at first, Lyell quickly became expert through study and increasing...