Hutton J
NAME: Hutton, James
ACHIEVEMENT(S): Chief founder of the science of geology.
NICKNAME/ALIAS: None
DATE AND PLACE OF BIRTH: June 3, 1726, Edinburgh, Scotland
DATE/PLACE OF DEATH/AGE AT DEATH: March 26, 1797, Edinburgh, Scotland; Aged 70
DISCIPLINE: Geologist
FIELD: Geology
LANGUAGE: English
PARENTS: William Hutton; Sarah Balfour
SIBLINGS: 3 sisters, of whom: Isabella
SPOUSE: None
CHILDREN: James
EDUCATION: Edinburgh High School; Edinburgh University; University of Leiden, The Netherlands
MAJOR WORK: "Theory of the Earth"
LIFE AND TIMES:
After his return to Britain from school in the Netherlands, Hutton went into partnership with a friend, James Davie, to produce sal-ammoniac (or ammonium chloride) for the dyeing, tin and brass industries. The process of extracting the product from chimney soot had only recently been discovered.
In 1750, though keeping his partnership in the business, Hutton returned to Berwickshire, Scotland, to take over the farm he had inherited from his father.
In 1752, while in Norfolk to learn innovative farming, he noticed that the soil around Norfolk was becoming exhausted, and that the land was eroding on the coast and around fossil-rich rocks. This puzzled Hutton because he had a firm belief that God had placed soil on the planet for the primary use of human beings. His interest in geology began.
In 1754, Hutton made a number of agricultural and geological trips around Britain, the Netherlands, Belgium, and France, but it was not until 10 years after his visit to Norfolk that he made his first major geological study trip, to northern Scotland, to do research on basalt.
At the time, the definition and origin of basalt was a matter of debate. Hutton believed (correctly) that basalt was of igneous (volcanic) origin, while German geologist <a rival was> Abraham Werner* claimed it was of aqueous origin (formed by the action of water.)
In the 1760’s, Hutton moved from his farm to Edinburgh to concentrate on science. His associates included chemist <a pal was> Black*, who also lectured in geology, and economist <a pal was> Adam Smith*. Hutton was also one of the first members of the council of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. In 1764, with <a pal was> Watt*, he visited Birmingham and the salt mines of Cheshire.
Hutton made a point of concentrating on the chemical side of geology, that is, speculating on mineral composition, believing that the study of the strata of fossils should be left to botanists or zoologists. One of the books he found of considerable geological interest was a travel book, "Observations on Mount Vesuvius", by <influenced by> Sir William Hamilton*.
In 1785, Hutton presented a general theory on geology to the Royal Society of Edinburgh. It was the first analysis of geological material in which findings were rationally coordinated, and is now regarded as the genesis of the science of geology. Printed first in 1788 in the Society publication "Transactions", the work was reprinted in a much expanded version in 1795 by a commercial publisher, who called it "Theory of the Earth" and brought it out in two volumes.
Clearly influenced by French geologists, including <influenced by> Saussure*, Hutton dealt with the nature, composition and formation of rocks and theorized on the history of stratified rock, which he believed started as sedimentation caused by weather and erosion, and was then consolidated by heat. He also discussed the heat of the earth, sedimentation, igneous intrusions, granite and limestone.
He shattered current theories about the age of the Earth, which was thought (in accordance with the Bible) to be about 6,000 years old. He thought it was immeasurably older than that, and suggested it was impossible to calculate when the Earth began, or when it would end (a radical notion at the time).
One notable opponent of Hutton's ideas was <opposed by> Robert Jameson*, who in 1796 dismissed the "Theory of the Earth" in two papers read to the Royal Medical Society of Edinburgh: "Is the Volcanic Opinion of the Formation of Basaltes Founded on Truth?"; and "Is the Huttonian Theory of the Earth Consistent with Fact?"
The arguments in Hutton's book were later refined by <his work edited by> John Playfair*, and later again, after Hutton's death, by <work re-edited by> Lyell,* who introduced <influenced> Darwin* to Hutton's thought.
<supported by> Conybeare*, too, who had initially supported the Biblical Flood theories, later accepted Hutton's viewpoint, which became known as "uniformitarianism" or "Plutonism" (as opposed to "Neptunism", applied to the theories of <opposed by> Werner* and his followers.)
Hutton also published works on chemistry, physics and philosophy.
ASSESSMENT: Hutton's uniformitarianism led to Darwin's theory of Evolution
EXTRA CONNECTIONS: His work related to that of <work related to> Ephraim Chambers*, <work related to> Richard Owen*, <work related to> Sedgwick* and <work related to> Buckland*
He influenced <influenced> Tylor*
He sent rock specimens to <collaborated with> Wedgwood*
While his farming activities continued, in 1764 he went on a geological tour of the north of Scotland with George Maxwell-Clerk,[10] ancestor of the famous James Clerk Maxwell.
In 1768, Hutton returned to Edinburgh, letting his farms to tenants but continuing to take an interest in farm improvements and research which included experiments carried out at Slighhouses. He developed a red dye made from the roots of the madder plant.[12]
The Forth and Clyde Canal was designed by John Smeaton. Construction started in 1768 and after delays due to funding problems was completed in 1790. To mark the opening a hogshead of water taken from the Forth was emptied into the Clyde at Bowling to symbolise the union of the eastern and western seas.[4] The geologist James Hutton became very involved in the canal between 1767 and 1774; he contributed his geological knowledge, made extended site inspections, and acted both as a shareholder and as a member of the management committee. The Union Canal was then constructed to link the eastern end of the canal to Edinburgh.
Hutton did not marry and had no legitimate children.[16] Around 1747, he had a son by a Miss Edington, and though he gave his child, James Smeaton Hutton, financial assistance, he had little to do with the boy, who went on to become a post-office clerk in London.[18]
ONELINER: James Hutton, geologist who sent stage for Darwin
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
Dean, Dennis R., . James Hutton and the History of Geology. Cornell University Press, Ithaca and London, 1992.