[Born in London, 1796. Still living.]
Distinguished himself early by his geological researches in England,
France, Italy, and the West Indies. In 1835, the government instituted,
at his suggestion, a Geological Survey of Great Britain, in conjunction
with, the Ordnance Survey, and subsequently extended it to the United
Kingdom, with Sir Henry as Director General. This post he now holds, in
conjunction with the direction of the Museum of Practical Geology, and
of the Government School of Mines. The author of many highly esteemed
works and memoirs on geology; and has rendered good service to the
state, by directing his knowledge to practical and educational purposes,
and by inducing politicians, seldom ready to advance in a scientific
direction, to found institutions of a high intellectual type.
[By E. H. Baily, R.A. 1845. From the bronze deposited in the Museum of
Economic Geology, London.]