STRATA

This comprehensive reference highlights the pioneering contributions of William Smith, detailing his influential 1815 geological map and exploring his impact on geology, mining, and biostratigraphy through essays and illustrations.

STRATA serves as a comprehensive reference that highlights the significant contributions of William Smith, often regarded as the 'father of English geology.' This beautifully crafted volume centers around Smith's 1815 hand-colored map, A Delineation of the Strata of England and Wales, with part of Scotland, and narrates his journey from apprentice to esteemed fossil collector. The book covers his earlier work, including his 1799 geological map of Bath and subsequent detailed stratigraphical county maps, illustrating the evolution of his ideas and methodologies.

The introduction contextualizes Smith's achievements within the broader landscape of geological thought, examining earlier and contemporary theories about the Earth's structure and natural processes. The book is organized into four geographical sections, each featuring sheets from the 1815 strata map, complemented by geological cross-sections and county maps from 1819 to 1824. Additionally, it includes Sowerby’s fossil illustrations categorized by strata, providing a visual representation of Smith's pioneering work.

Interspersed throughout the sections are essays by prominent scholars that delve into the practical applications of Smith's research in various fields, including mining, agriculture, cartography, and hydrology. The concluding chapters reflect on Smith's later endeavors as a traveling geologist and surveyor, his rivalry with George Bellas Greenough, and his receipt of the first Wollaston Medal in 1831. Richly illustrated with detailed maps, tables of strata, and fossil samples, STRATA stands as a definitive and accessible tribute to the revolutionary impact of William Smith on the science of geology.