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Detail of Index Testarum, black and white engraving showing five cherubs looking at shells

Archives and Special Collections

One of the greatest strengths of the Geological Society’s Library collections is its outstanding historical material which is available for consultation by Fellows and visitors

Etching of a prehistoric scene showing dinosaurs on land and in sea

Topics covered include:

  • Development of geology and its related subjects from the 16th century to the present day
  • Palaeontological discoveries including the earliest descriptions of dinosaurs and other extinct life
  • Industrial Revolution, a subject closely entwined with the history of geology, as it was civil engineering activities undertaken during this period which exposed rocks and fossils, allowing detailed analysis and an increase of knowledge
  • Exploration and mapping such as Sir Roderick Impey Murchison's (1792-1871) travels in Russia and around Europe. The Library also holds many of the earliest geological maps of the world including Australia, South Africa, Borneo and Siberia
  • Plate tectonics and continental drift, notably the archive collections of Dan McKenzie (1942-), Ted Irving (1927-2014), Alan Gilbert Smith (1937-2017) and Fred Vine (1939-)

Follow the links below to find out more:

Etching of a classical scene

Archives

Find out more about the Archives

Archives
A painting of a dodo bird on green grass beside a rock

Rare Books

Find out more about our Rare Books

Rare books
A watercolour of an island scene with parrots and other tropical birds and a beach covered in shells and sea snails

Archive catalogue

Search the Archive collections

View the Archive Catalogue
A view of a pebbly beach in the foreground, looking cross a stretch of water towards Cuillin Ridge mountain in Scotland, with the sun setting behind it

Library Catalogue

Search the Library's book, map and journal collections

View the Library Catalogue
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Sponsor our Collections

Help preserve our important collections for future generations

Sponsor Our Collections
A 19th Century painting of Yellowstone National Park, with snow capped mountains in the distance, greener mountains and trees in the foreground, and the moon rising in the distance

Visit the Picture Library

Discover hundreds of images from our historical collections

Visit the Picture Library