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Annals of Science Volume 41, 1984 - Issue 3
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The geological collection of James Hutton

Jean Jones 6 Greenhill Terrace, Edinburgh, EH10 4BS, Scotland
Pages 223-244 | Received 23 Mar 1984, Published online: 22 Aug 2006

  • Hutton , J. 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 209 – 304 . pt 2
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 270 – 270 . pt 2 and 271
  • Letter of Black to the Royal Society of Edinburgh in the hand of Robert Jameson , Edinburgh : Univeristy Library . MS Gen. 130
  • 1797 . Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 . December 21 1797 .
  • 1812 . History of the Society . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 6 : 1 – 1 . pts 1 and 2
  • 1804 . Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 . June 25 1804 .
  • 1804 . Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 . June 25 1804 .
  • Sweet , J.M. and Waterson , C.D. 1967 . Robert Jameson's approach to the Wernerian Theory of the Earth . Annals of Science 23 , : 81 – 97 . (pp. 82 and 83)
  • Walker , J. 1808 . Essays on Natural History and Rural Economy 336 – 336 . Edinburgh
  • 1837 . Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , London Evidence of Sir George Mackenzie (the mineralogist, 1780–1848) 620.
  • 1801 . Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 . January 26 1801 .
  • Draft letter by Robert Jameson among his papers in the Edinburgh University Library Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 25 1804 June
  • 1837 . “ Evidence of Sir George Mackenzie ” . In Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , 620 – 620 . London
  • 1804 . Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 . June 25 1804 .
  • Among his papers in the Ediburgh University Library
  • 1804 . Minutes of Council General Meetings of the Royal Society 1798–1807 . June 25 1804 .
  • Evidence of Sir David Brewster Sweet J.M. Waterson C.D. Robert Jameson's approach to the Wernerian Theory of the Earth Annals of Science 23 1967 I 558 558
  • Draft of letter from Jameson to Mr. Ross, advocate among the Jameson papers in the Edinburgh University Library.
  • History of the Society History of the Society Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1812 6 1 1 pts 1 and 2 and 2
  • William Thomson (1761–1806) was a medical student at Edinburgh and at Oxford, where he later lectured in anatomy. In 1790 he removed to Italy. He wrote several distinguished articles on mineralogy and amassed a considerable geological collection which he bequeathed to Oxford University, or, in the event of its being refused, to Edinburgh. See Waterston C.D. William Thomson University of Edinburgh Journal 1965 122 134 Autumn
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Dc.1.78 section 61
  • Later known as the New Reading Room and now as the Talbot Rice Art Gallery
  • 1837 . “ Evidence of Robert Jameson ” . In Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , 543 – 543 . London
  • 1837 . Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , 543 – 544 . London 559
  • 1837 . Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , 559 – 559 . London
  • 1837 . Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , London
  • 1837 . Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , 619 – 619 . London
  • 1837 . Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence Vol. I , 622 – 622 . London
  • The Commissioners ‘received so many communications and complaints regarding the state and management of the Museum’ that they were obliged to set up a subcommittee to enquire into it Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Report London 1831 177 177 They applauded Jameson for the zeal with which he had sought out valuable collections but censored him ‘for allowing his private interests to interfere with the management of a great public institution’.
  • Evidence of Sir David Brewster Scottish Universities Commission 1826–30: Evidence London 1837 I 559 559
  • in Edinburgh University Library 1835 November entry for
  • In Edinburgh University Library MS Dc. 2.73
  • Playfair , J. 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 39 – 99 . pt 3 (p. 40)
  • John Strange (1732–99) F.R.S., sometime British resident at Venice, was a keen antiquarian and naturalist who corresponded with many of the savants of his day. See de Beer G. Notes and Records of the Royal Society 1951 9 96 108
  • V.A. and Eyles , J.M. 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 316 – 319 . (p. 326)
  • Eyles and Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 320 – 320 .
  • Eyles and Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 323 – 323 .
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 217 – 217 . pt 2
  • Eyles and Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 326 – 326 .
  • Hutton to George Clerk Maxwell Scottish Record Office GD 18/5937 1774
  • Ferguson , A. 1805 . Life of Dr. Black . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 101 – 109 . pt 3 (p. 115)
  • Cozens-Hardy , B. , ed. 1950 . The Diary of Sylas Nerille 146 – 146 . London
  • December 1786 . Letter of Thomas Wedgwood December , 30 Keele University Library MS Mosley 12. Dr Hugh Torrens kindly drew my attention to this quotation.
  • Smith , Lady , ed. 1832 . Memoir and Correspondence of the late Sir James Edward Smith M.D. Vol. I , 44 – 44 . London 2 vols
  • de Saint-Fond , B. Faujas . 1797 . A Journey through England and Scotland to the Hebrides in 1784 234 – 234 . London English translation
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 247 – 250 . pt 2 J. Hutton, Theory of the Earth with Proofs and Illustrations, I and II (Edinburgh and London, 1795), I, 85–88.
  • For example, J. Greville to Black (26 October 1784) re specimens he hoped to acquire from the collection of a Mr McCall Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/II/216
  • Playfair . 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 88 – 88 . pt 3
  • Playfair . 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 99 – 99 . pt 3
  • Eyles and Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 320 – 326 .
  • 1772 . Letter of Hutton to Banks , Cambridge : Fitzwilliam Museum . n.d. ? Percavel Bequeat, J.12
  • Burnett , James and Monboddo , Lord . 1714–99 . “ Scottish judge and man of letters, is remembered for his work ” . In Of the Origin and Progress of Language He was a friend of Hutton and perhaps inspired his interest in the origin of writing.
  • Letter of Hutton to Monboddo , Cambridge : Fitzwilliam Museum . n.d. Perceval Bequest, J.6
  • Eyles and Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 336 – 336 .
  • 1777 . Letter of Alexander Shairp, merchant in London, to Hutton , Cambridge : Fitzwilliam Museum . Perceval Bequest, J.10
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 277 – 277 . pt 2 Hutton, 1795 (footnote 52), 150.
  • Hutton . 1795 . Theory of the Earth with Proofs and Illustrations Vol. I and II , 546 – 546 . Edinburgh and London vol. I
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 252 – 252 . pt 2 237; Hutton (footnote 52), I, 468, 99, 66, 350; B. Cozens-Hardy (footnote 46), 145.
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 283 – 283 . pt 2 Hutton (footnote 52), I, 161.
  • Eyles and Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 328 – 328 .
  • National Library of Scotland, Advocates MSS, 28-3-12
  • Dempster , George . 1732–1818 . M.P. and agriculturalist
  • Edinburgh University Library La. III 379/197. Hutton considered the structure of fossil wood to be a telling illustration of subterranean fluidity. By the time Davidson wrote to Dempster, Hutton had seen—or even owned—pieces from ‘England, Germany and Lochneagh in Ireland’ Hutton Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh 1788 1 233 233 pt 2 234
  • Playfair . 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 95 – 95 . pt 3
  • For example Edinburgh University Library MSS Gen. 873/I/198 Gen. 873/III/198, 230; Gen. 874/IV/12
  • Robinson , E. and McKie , D. 1970 . Partners in Science. Letters of James Watt and Joseph Black London
  • Robinson and McKie . 1970 . Partners in Science. Letters of James Watt and Joseph Black 48 – 48 . London 78, 176, 179
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 pt 2 Plate I
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen.873/III/72. Hutton mentions this petrified wood in Theory of the Earth 1788 233 233
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/III/241
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/III/200
  • Eyles and Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 323 – 323 .
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/III/160 It is not possible to identify these fossils by reference to Bank's collection, for his specimens that were given to the Natural History Museum were not kept together and, like Hutton's specimens, can no longer be traced. The ‘fossil nuts’ are most likely to be Trigonocarpus which is found in profusion in the Upper Carboniferous sandstone of the Coal Measures.
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/III/160
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/II/218
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/I/89, 91
  • Edinburgh University Library MS Gen. 873/I/89 Jeans supplied many other collectors, for example William Hunter, but is now probably best known for his encounter with Dr Johnson on Skye.
  • Fitzwilliam Museum, Perceval Bequest, J.8
  • The Jurassic beds of Stonefield Slate are famous for their unusual fauna, which was first recognised as mammalian by Buckland about 1815 (see Arkell W.J. The Geology of Oxford Oxford 1947
  • Playfair . 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 94 – 94 . pt 3
  • See Hutton J. Theory of the Earth London 1899 III chapters 4, 5, 9; 1, 430–44, 458–63, 330; Playfair (footnote 37), 68–74; G. Y. Craig, Editor James Hutton's Theory of the Earth: The Lost Drawings Edinburgh, 1978), pp. 25–61.
  • Playfair . 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 41 – 41 . pt 3 44
  • Playfair . 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 44 – 44 . pt 3
  • 1774 . Letter of Hutton to George Clerk Maxwell , Scottish Record Office . GD 18/5937
  • Playfair . 1805 . Account of the late Dr. James Hutton . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 5 : 45 – 45 . pt 3
  • Eyles . 1951 . Some Geological Correspondence of James Hutton . Annals of Science , 7 : 323 – 323 .
  • Scottish Record Office, GD 18/5937/1
  • Hutton . 1795 . Theory of the Earth with Proofs and Illustrations Vol. I and II , 326 – 326 . Edinburgh and London vol. 1
  • Craig . 1899 . Theory of the Earth 31 – 31 . London
  • Hutton . 1899 . Theory of the Earth Vol. III , 225 – 225 . London
  • Hutton . 1899 . Theory of the Earth Vol. III , 221 – 221 . London
  • Hutton . 1899 . Theory of the Earth Vol. III , 250 – 252 . London
  • Sir James Hall to his uncle William Hall 23rd Scottish Record Office, GD 206/II/300 1787 Sept.
  • Hutton , J. 1794 . Observations on Granite . Transactions of the Royal Society Edinburgh , 3 : 77 – 85 . pt 2
  • 1790 . Minutes of the Royal Society of Edinburgh . Physical Class , Feb. 1st
  • Seymour , J.W. 1815 . An Account of Observations…upon some geological appearances in Glen Tilt . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 7 : 303 – 375 . pt 2 (p. 304n)
  • Seymour . Feb. 1790 . Physical Class Feb. , 304n – 304n . 1st
  • Information from Dr Ian Rolfe
  • Hutton . 1795 . Theory of the Earth with Proofs and Illustrations Vol. I and II , 330 – 330 . Edinburgh and London vol. 1 331
  • Hutton . 1788 . Theory of the Earth: or an Investigation of the Laws observable in the Composition, Dissolution and Restoration of Land upon the Globe . Transactions of the Royal Society of Edinburgh , 1 : 277 – 277 . pt 2 Playfair (footnote 37), 47; Hutton, 1795 (footnote 52), 150, 590.
  • Robinson and Mckie . 1970 . Partners in Science. Letters of James Watt and Joseph Black 70 – 70 . London

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