Maps at the Lapworth Museum
The Museum has an outstanding collection of published geological maps, recording advances in this field throughout the nineteenth century.
These collections include a complete set of the Geological Survey of Great Britain maps and the separate, beautifully drawn geological cross-section sheets; as well as important early geological maps produced by influential geologists such as Archibald Geikie (1835–1924), John Phillips (1800–1874), and Andrew Ramsey (1814–1891); and an early collection of 1-inch to the mile topographic maps of the UK, housed in a beautiful wooden Ordnance Survey box. Combined with very fine field maps, sketches, notebooks and manuscript maps, particularly relating to Charles Lapworth (1842–1920), the overall map collection records the development of geological mapping techniques at a time when significant advances were underway.
A Geological Survey first edition map of Dudley and the Black Country.
A geological horizontal section.
J. Morris' geological section.
Manuscript Maps
In addition to Charles Lapworth’s manuscript maps and cross sections, there are many others relating to notable geologists. These include maps of the Cross Fell area of Cumbria, a classic geological locality, produced by John George Goodchild FGS (1844–1906). The maps relate to Goodchild’s involvement in the Geological Survey’s original mapping of the Lake District and surrounding areas. Goodchild and his son also amassed a mineral collection of approximately 1000 specimens which is held at the Lapworth Museum. Furthermore, a number of Charles Lapworth’s students at Mason College also researched and mapped regions in Britain, and their work was used to produce the Geological Survey maps of the areas. The Museum holds manuscript maps of Anglesey and North Wales produced by C. A. Matley FGS (1884–1920) and T. Stacey Wilson.
C. A. Matley's map showing the northwest of Wales.
C. A. Matley's map showing the northwest of Wales.
C. A. Matley's map showing the northwest of Wales.
George Bellas Greenough
George Bellas Greenough FRS, FGS (1778–1855) was the first President of the Geological Society from its inception in 1807 until 1813, and was later President of the Royal Geographical Society. He was a bitter rival of William Smith (1769–1839), with whom he competed while trying to produce 'A Geological Map of England and Wales'.
Greenough's large-scale geological map was published after Smith's. It was beautifully draughted and engraved, but in terms of its geological accuracy was by no means superior to Smith's unique map. Many editions of Greenough's map were published, of which the Museum holds a number of copies.
George Bellas Greenough's map showing the southwest of England.
George Bellas Greenough's map showing the northwest of England and southern Scotland.
George Bellas Greenough's map showing the northwest of Wales.
John MacCulloch
John MacCulloch (1773–1835) was an important figure in early British geology. He published on a wide range of geological topics, but is probably best known for his pioneering geological mapping of Scotland similar in many ways to William Smith's work in England and Wales. He produced many detailed maps, particularly of the Western Islands, culminating in his publication of 'A Geological Map of Scotland' in 1837, a copy of which is held in the Lapworth Museum.
A Geological Map of Scotland by John MacCulloch.
A Geological Map of Scotland by John MacCulloch.
A Geological Map of Scotland by John MacCulloch.
J. & C. Walker
J. & C. Walker, engravers, draughtsmen and publishers based in London, published their hand-coloured 'Geological Map of England, Wales and part of Scotland' in the mid nineteenth century. Much of the geological information is based on the earlier work of Smith, MacCulloch, Greenough, and Smith's nephew John Phillips (1800–1874), but the map has cross sections and notes referring to mineral deposits which were vital for the industries of the time. The map also shows inland navigation by means of rivers and canals, with their elevation in feet above the sea, together with the railways and principle roads.
J. & C. Walker's map showing the middle and east of England.
J. & C. Walker's map showing southern Scotland.
J. & C. Walker's map showing the southwest of England.
Roderick Murchison
Sir Roderick Murchison FRS, FGS (1792–1871) was one of the leading figures in British geology during the nineteenth century and became Director of the Geological Survey of Great Britain from 1855 to 1871. He named the Silurian period of geological time, and in 1839 published his classic work 'The Silurian System'. To accompany this, he produced a geological map spanning three large sheets entitled 'The Silurian Region and Adjacent Counties of England and Wales', which are often missing from surviving copies of the book. The copies in the Museum are unusual for having never been cut or folded.
The Silurian Region by Roderick Murchison.
The Silurian Region by Roderick Murchison.
The Silurian Region by Roderick Murchison.