Charles Lyell, F. R. S. (1797-1875) and his London lectures on geology, 1832-33

Abstract

In his survey of The Organisation of Science England , Donald. Cardwell describes how the foundation of University College London in 1826, closely followed, by that of King’s College in 1828, reflects the polarization between Radical-Dissent and Anglican-Tory groups among those concerned with the promotion of middle-class higher education in the metropolis (1). He points out, however, that while the teaching staff (but not the students) at King’s were required to be Anglicans, and. the courses included, religious instruction, the syllabus was no less liberal than at University College, and included, substantial provision for the teaching of science. Among the eight professorships proposed by the chartered committee in April 1830 (in addition to three Chairs with guaranteed salaries), there were four in clearly scientific fields. By February 1831 James Rennie had been appointed for natural history and zoology, Henry Moseley for natural and experimental philosophy, and J. F. Daniell for chemistry (2). At about the same time Charles Lyell (F. R. S., 1826) made enquiries about the possibility that geology might be added to the list of scientific posts, and in April 1831 he was appointed Professor of Geology (3). King’s College opened for teaching in October 1831, and Lyell gave courses of lectures on geology the following summer (1832) and again in 1833. Concurrently with the latter, he also gave a course at the Royal Institution. But while the first of his courses at King’s was still in progress, Lyell began to consider resigning from his Chair, and he duly did so in October 1833 .