Reverend W. B. Clarke, ‘the Father of Australian Geology’, on the origin of valleys

Abstract

The contribution of the pioneer Australian geologist W. B. Clarke to mineral exploration, the development of geological research in Australia, and the deciphering of global Palaeozoic and Mesozoic stratigraphy has been well documented. However, it is only with the publication of his voluminous scientific correspondence, together with the recognition of his importance as a scientific journalist, that an assessment of the significance of his geomorphological work has been possible. His observations on the origins of valleys, a problem much debated until at least the 1870s, are of particular importance because of his close association with Dana, Darwin, Jukes, and Huxley, who played major roles in that debate. His work clearly illustrates the great state of flux in geomorphology in the first half of the 19th century.

Key words:

• Australia
• Clarke W. B.
• Dana J. D.
• Darwin C.
• geomorphology
• Huxley T. H.
• Jukes J. B.
• origin of valleys

Acknowledgements

I must acknowledge a great intellectual debt to Ann Moyal and Michael Organ, for this paper is based on the scholarly foundations that they laid. Michael Organ, Rowl Twidale and an anonymous reviewer made valuable comments on a previous draft of the manuscript. I am grateful also for the help given by Susan Jones in accessing Michael Organ's collection of Clarke's papers held in the Library at the University of Wollongong.

Notes

∗Note that all references to Clarke's scientific correspondence are listed as the relevant pages in Moyal (2003).