English geologist and engineer (born 1769)

William Smith

William 'Strata' Smith was an English geologist, credited with creating the first detailed, nationwide geological map of any country. At the time his map was first published he was overlooked by the scientific community; his relatively humble education and family connections prevented him from mixing easily in learned society. Financially ruined, Smith spent time in debtors' prison. It was only late in his life that Smith received recognition for his accomplishments, and became known as the "father of English geology".

Born

1769

March 23

Died

1839

Era

1760s

Country

—

About

William, in brief

William 'Strata' Smith was an English geologist, credited with creating the first detailed, nationwide geological map of any country. At the time his map was first published he was overlooked by the scientific community; his relatively humble education and family connections prevented him from mixing easily in learned society. Financially ruined, Smith spent time in debtors' prison. It was only late in his life that Smith received recognition for his accomplishments, and became known as the "father of English geology".

Source: Wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Key dates

  1. 1769 Born
  2. 1839 Died

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Same-year contemporaries

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Alexander von Humboldt 1769–1859 German geographer and explorer (born 1769) Robert Stewart 1769–1822 Viscount Castlereagh, Irish-English politician, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (born 1769)

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