SEDGWICK (Rev. Adam, F.R.S., 1785-1873, Geologist, President of the Geological Society, secretary to Prince ALBERT)

Fine Autograph Letter Signed to "Mrs Selwyn", telling her that he "expects to see Admiral & Mrs Warren here tomorrow ... & Mr Clarke whom you & Professor Selwyn met, I believe, at Rome - I trust that you & the Professor will do me the favour to meet them at dinner on Monday ... My servant will bring this note & a single word uttered by the lips will do admirably, provided that word is yes! ...", with a postscript saying that if she has "a Lady with you & she will come with you, so much the better for me. I only came back from London the day before yesterday & some one told me that Mrs Peacock was with you, if so I should of course be doubly happy to have the honour ...", 2 sides 8vo., on mourning paper, Trinity College, 27th February no year

Appointed professor of geology with no great formal experience of the subject, Sedgwick made invaluable collections of fossils and then in the 1820s and 1830s set about a survey of the oldest rocks in Great Britain, the Devonian and the Cambrian, classifying them in great detail, and working with Roderick Murchison. He introduced Darwin to field geology, but Sedgwick found much inadequate and faulty reasoning when he read the Origin of Species. His watchword was 'sober induction'. Many generations of young scholars were indebted to his work and his deductions from detailed observation.
Sedgwick became a Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge and Woodwardian Professor of Geology at Cambridge from 1818, holding the chair until his death in 1873. When Prince Albert became Chancellor of the University in 1847, he appointed Sedgwick as his secretary and then as a member of the Royal Commission on University Reform in 1850. His Royal connection began in 1843 when he showed Queen Victoria and Prince Albert around the new University Museum of Geology
The letter is almost certainly addressed to wife of William SELWYN(1775-1855, Lawyer and Legal Author). Selwyn was educated at Eton College, and St. John's and Trinity Colleges, Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1797, as first chancellor's medallist in classics. Soon after the marriage of Queen Victoria, Selwyn was chosen to assist Albert, Prince Consort in his legal studies so he was also on Albert's staff. He was the father of George Augustus SELWYN(1809-1878), the first Anglican Bishop of New Zealand. After his death, Selwyn College, Cambridge was founded to honour his life and contribution to scholarship and religion. The college and other educational facilities uphold the legacy of the bishop.

Item Date:  0

Stock No:  41447      £275

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