Geology Reference
In-Depth Information
The extraordinary popularity of the topic was due not only to
an enthusiasm for geology engendered by Holmes' text, but also
to the outstanding quality of the illustrations, largely photo-
graphs, which Holmes went to great lengths to obtain, despite
many firms having lost all their photographic stock in the bomb-
ing raids. The tremendous impact the topic made on countless
students and amateur geologists is impossible to assess.
Undoubtedly some became professional geologists as a result
of reading it, as did John Hepworth who enthusiastically
summarises how many must have felt:
The very mention of his name
[Holmes]
is to ignite a spark in my
recollections. I first came across The Topic (!) in a wonderful parcel of topics
supplied to the newly established 'Education Initiative' in the Army, at
the end of the war (in Germany). I was transferred from the Royal Signals
ยบ
to the Army Education Corps and among my duties was to receive and
unpack this parcel (about 20 topics), which was to constitute the regi-
mental library. Among the topics was this red cloth-bound volume, with
its excellent photos and diagrams, and riveting text - a flash of brilliant
illumination in the intellectual murk which we had become so used to in
6 years of 'the Army'.
I had for a long time been interested in geology in a school-boyish way
- had inherited my father's Lyell - but thiswas perhaps one of the most
decisive influences in my determining to 'become a geologist'. I am still
impressed by the clarity and far-sightedness of his vision.
I recall that as late as the time I graduated (1950) he was still regarded
by the establishment as some sort of a maverick - not quite sound - to
be spoken of with a smile on the faces of the orthodox. He was not, I
think, a Geol. Soc. Man.
Yes, Arthur Holmes - and The Book - must have inspired legions of
people.
Indeed they did. Holmes the man and 'Holmes' the topic
did much to revive failing interest in the geological sciences
which, for more than half a century, had been in a rather mori-
bund state. This long period of geological malaise is largely
attributable to the fact that the technology needed to solve the
