Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Being an experienced field geologist, Woodward considered that he
could do a better job than Burnet, and so was spurred into action. His
resultant account of the Earth and its evolution was entitled An essay
toward a natural history of the Earth; and terrestrial bodies, espe-
ciallyminerals: as also of the sea, rivers, and springs. With an account
of the universal deluge; and of the effects that it had upon the Earth.
This 277-page volume appeared in 1695, and in subsequent editions in
1702 and 1723. An edition in French was published in Paris in 1735.
Although born in 1665 of humble Derbyshire stock, Woodward
was able through his considerable intelligence to shake off this early
burden, and carve out a career first in medicine and later in science. He
was arrogant (perhaps his origins explain this disposition), and had an
unfortunate ability to attract enemies as a magnet attracts iron filings.
He did not like his opinions to be questioned by other men of learning
such as his contemporary Fellows of the Royal Society, quite possibly
because it may have suggested to him that they were of better lineage
than himself. Indeed his outbursts led to him being expelled from the
council of the society on at least two occasions.
By all accounts he was successful, well known for his publica-
tions and fiery character, and is today often recalled by British and
especially Cambridge earth scientists. On his death in 1728 he asked
that some land be purchased which would generate an income of £150.
This money was to be given to the University of Cambridge to found a
lectureship in geology and to pay for the curation of his extensive
geological collections. Today a professorship carries his name, and
he lies buried in Westminster Abbey.
Woodward was a avid collector of fossils (which he recognised
were organic in origin), other geological materials and living biological
specimens, many of which can still be seen in their original cabinets in
the Sedgwick Museum in Cambridge. He published a pamphlet in
1696 that contained guidelines on how one should collect and preserve
such material. This was the first curatorial manual and contained, for
example, useful comments on dealing with preserving modern crabs
or lobsters: 'chuse those [shells] that have the Creatures still living in
