Biographical notes of key staff in the Geological Survey of Ireland 1845-1905
Source: Flett, J. The first hundred years of the Geological Survey of Great Britian. 1937 and Herries Davies, Gordon North from the Hook. 1995. (Reference abbreviations are provided at the end of this page.)
| Baily, William Hellier (1819-1888) |
Born 1819, Assistant Curator Bristol Museum 1837-1844. Appointed Draughtsman GSGB 1844, Assistant Geologist 1845, Assistant Naturalist 1854, Geologist. (Palaeontologist, Ireland) 1857, died 1888. (G.M., 1888, pp. 431 and 575; Nature, 23rd Aug., 1888, p. 396; Q.J.G.S., 1889, p. 39.) |  |
| Clark, Richard (1853-1933) |
Born 1853. Appointed Temporary Fossil Collector. (Ireland) 1877, Assistant in Fossil Department (Ireland) 1891, Superintendant of Maps 1901, retired 1918, died 1933. | |
| Cole, Grenville Arthur James (1859-1911) |
Born London 21.10.1859. Royal School of Mines. Professor of Geology RCSI 1890-1924. Director GSI 01.04.1905. died Carrickmines, Co. Dublin, 20.04.1924.WW; PRS series B, 100, p. iv; QJGS (proceedings) 81, 1925,p.lxvi; GM 61, 1924, p. 285; PGA 36,1925, p.190; Nature 113,1924, p. 649; MM 20, 1924, p. 257; IN 33, 1924, p. 57; GSIB4(2), 1989, p. 151; SIN; SARJ; The Times, 22 April 1924; Irish Times, 21 April 1924. | |
| Cruise, Richard Joseph (1842-1895) |
Born Moynalty, County Meath 16.06.1842. Analytical Chemist, Silvermines County Tipperary. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1867, retired 1890, died 1895. (Irish Times, 29th Oct., 1895.) | |
| De La Beche, Henry Thomas (Sir) (1796-1855) |
Born London 1796. Appointed Director-General. 1835, died 13.04.1855. F.R.S. 1819; P.G.S. 1847-49; Kt. 1848; Wollaston Medal 1855. (Illustrated London News, 17th May, 1851; .Q.J.G.S., 1855 p. xxi; Q.J.G.S., 1856, p. xxxiv; Register, R.S.M., 1896, p. lxvi; H.G.S., 1907, p.106.) |  |
| Duffin , William E. L'Estange (c1844- after 1912?) |
Born County Down c 1844. Trinity College Dublin. Parliamentary work in conection with railways and public works. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1871, resigned 1874, died post 1912. | |
| Du Noyer, George Victor (1817-1869) |
Born Dublin 1817, Ordnance Survey staff 1832-1842; Schoolmaster. Special service with GSI 1847. Appointed Temporary Geologist (Ireland) 1848, Geologist 1849, District Surveyor 1867, died 1869. (G.M., 1869, p. 93.) | |
| Edwards, Lewis | Geologist 08.09.1845; Dismissed 18.10.1845 | |
| Egan, Frederick William (1836-1901) |
Born Dublin 1836. Trinity College Dublin. Work on Great Southern and Western Railway. Appointed Temporary Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1868, Geologist 1890, died 1901. (G.M., 1901, p. 95.) | |
| Flanagan, James (? - 1859) |
Born ?, Ordnance Survey Staff. Appointed Fossil Collector (Ireland) 1845, died Ballyhale, Co. Kildare 1859. |  |
| Foot, Frederick James (1830-1867) |
Born 1830. Trinity College Dublin. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1854, Geologist 1862, died 1867 (drowned in Lough Key while attempting to save life). (G.M., 1867, pp. 95, 132). | |
| Forbes, Edward (1815-1854) |
Born Douglas, Isle of Man, 1815. Appointed Palaeontologist 1844, Lecturer in Natural History to School of Mines 1851, resigned 1854, died 1854. Chair of Botany, Kings College, 1842; F.R.S. 1845; P.G.S.1853-54; Professor of Natural History, Edinburgh, 1854. (Q.J.G.S., 1855, p. xxvii; Memoir, G. Wilson and A. Geikie, 1861; Register, R.S.M., 1896, p. lxxx.) |  |
| Geikie, Archibald (Sir) (1835-1924) |
Born Edinburgh 1835. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Scotland) 1855, Geologist 1861, Director for Scotland 1867, Director-General 1882, retired 1901, died Haslemere 1924. F.R.S. 1865; President Edinburgh Geological Society 1868-73; Murchison Professor of Geology and Mineralogy, Edinburgh, 1871-81; Makdougall-Brisbane Prize 1878, 1888; Murchison Medal 1881; P.G.S. 1890-92, 1906-08; Kt. 1891; Pres. BA. 1892; Wollaston Medal 1895; Royal Medal 1896; K.C.B. 1907; P.R.S. 1908-13; O.M. 1913. (G.M., 1890, p. 49; G.M., 1924, p. 515; Long Lifes Work, A. Geikie, 1924; Q.J.G.S., 1925, p. lii; Proc. R.S., B XCIX, 1926, p. i.) |  |
| Hardman, Edward Townley (1845-1887) |
Born Drogheda 1845. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1870, Western Australia 1883-85, died 1887. (G.M., 1887, p. 334.) | |
| Hoskins, Peirce | Born ?. Schoolmaster. Appointed Fossil Collector (Ireland) 1854, resigned 1855. | |
| Hull, Edward (1829-1917) |
Born Antrim town 1829. Appointed Assistant Geologist 1850, Geologist 1859, District Surveyor (Scotland) 1867, Director for Ireland 1869, retired 1891, died 1917. F.R.S. 1867; Professor of Geology, Royal College of Science, Dublin, 1869; Murchison Medal 1890. (G.M., 1917, p. 553; .Q.J.G.S., 1918, p. liv; Proc. R.S., B XC, 1919, p. xxviii; Geologist of Yorks., 1924, p. 262; Reminiscences, 1910.) |  |
| Hyland, John Shearson (1866-1898) |
Born Liverpool 1866. Petrologist 1888. Assistant Geologist 01.09.1890; Resigned 1891. died Elmina, West Africa 19.04.1898. | |
| James, Henry (Sir) (1803-1877) |
Born in Cornwall 1803. Royal Engineers 1825; Ordnance Survey 1827. Local Director GSI 01.04.1845; Resigned 03.07.1846. Superintendent of Works, Portsmouth Dockyard 1846-50; Superintendent of Ordnance Survey Edinburgh Office 1850-54; Director-General of Ordnance Survey 1854-75 Died Southampton 14.06.1877. DNB; QJGS (proceedings) 34, 1878, p. 34; ALLIB |  |
| James, Trevor Evans | Geologist GSGB 14.05.1840; Transferred to Ireland 21.06.1845; Transferred back to Britain 30.09.1845. died in Australia. | |
| Jukes, Joseph Beete (1811-1869) |
Born Summerhill near Birmingham 1811. Appointed 1846, Local Director (Ireland) 1850, died 1869. Geological Surveyor of Newfoundland 1839-41; Pres. Geol. Soc. Dublin 1853-54; F.R.S. 1853; Lecturer In Geology, Royal College of Science, Dublin, 1854. (G.M., 1869, p. 430; Q.J.G.S., 1870, p. xxx; Letters of J. Beete Jukes, 1871; Geol. of Yorks., 1924, p. 415.) |  |
| Kelly, John (1791-1869) |
Born Borrisokane, Co. Tipperary, 1791. Personal Assistant to Richard Griffith 1814-53. Assistant Geologist in charge of the office GSI 01.07.1856; Resigned 20.10.1866. died 05 or 06.1869. ALLIB | |
| Kennedy, John Studdert (c1832-1856) |
Born c 1832.Trinity College Dublin. General Office Assistant 01.11.1853; Resigned 1854. Geological Survey of India 1855-56. died India 02.1856. | |
| Kilroe, James Robinson (1848-1927) |
Born 1848. Appointed Temporary Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1874, Geologist 1890, retired 1913, died 1927. | |
| Kinahan, George Henry (1829-1908) |
Born Dublin 1829. Appointed Temporary Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1854, Senior Geologist 1861, District Surveyor 1869, retired 1890, died Clontarf 1908. | |
| Lamplugh, George William (1859-1926) |
Born Driffield, Yorkshire, 08.04.1859.Worked in commerce. Assistant Geologist GSGB 1892; District Geologist in Charge GSI 01.05.1901; Returned to GSGB 17.10.1904; Assistant Director for England and Wales 1914; Retired 1920. died 09.10.1926. WW; GM dec 6,5,1918, p. 337 and 64,1927, p. 91; PGA38, 1927, p. 243; SARJ; JG 6 (44),1966, p. 307. |  |
| Leonard, Hugh (1841-1909) |
Born Drogheda 1841. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1867, retired 1881, died 1909. (G.M., 1909, p. 191.) | |
| Leonard, William Benjamin (c1850-1876) |
Born Drogheda c1850. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1867, died 1876. | |
| Medlicott, Henry Benedict (1829-1905) |
Born Loughrea 1829. Trinity College Dublin. Appointed General Assistant 1851 (Ireland), transferred to England 1853, resigned 1853, died 1905. Appointed to Geological Survey of India 1853, Director 1876-87; F.R.S. 1877; Wollaston Medal 1888. (Memoir on Indian Surveys. C. R. Markham, 1878, pp.225, etc.; G.M., 1905, p.240; Q.J.G.S., 1906, p.lx; Proc. R.S., B. LXXIX, 1907, p.xix.) |  |
| Medlicott, Joseph G. (1825-1866) |
Born Loughrea c1825. General Assistant Oct. 1846. resigned 30.09.1851. Geological Survey of India 1851-1862. | |
| Medlicott, Samuel (1832-before 1905) |
Born c1832. Trinity College Dublin. Appointed Assistant Geologist 1854. resigned 1856. | |
| McHenry, Alexander (1843-1919) |
Born Ballyvoy, Co. Antrim 1843. Appointed Fossil Collector (Ireland) 1861, Temporary Assistant Geologist 1877, Geologist 1890, retired 1908, died 1919. (G.M., 1919, p. 336; Q.J.G.S., 1920, p. lx.) | |
| M'Coy, Frederick (1823-1899) |
Born Dublin 1823. Appointed (Ireland) 1845, resigned 1847, died 1899. Chair of Geology and Mineralogy, Queens University, Belfast, 1850; first Professor of Natural Science, Melbourne, 1854-99; Murchison Medal 1879; F.R.S. 1880; C.M.G. 1886; K.C.M.G. 1891. (G.M., 1899, p. 283 Q.J.G.S., 1900, p. lix; Proc. R.S., LXXV, 1905, p.43; H.G.S., 1907, p.188.) | |
| Mitchell, William Fancourt (1845-?) |
Born 1845. Royal College of Science for Ireland. Apprentice at Vulcan Foundary, Newton-le-Willows, Lancashire. Appointed Temporary Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1875, retired 1890. Worked in Valuation Office and as tutor of geology. Died? | |
| Murchison, Roderick Impey (1792-1871) |
Born Tarradale, Easter Ross 1792. Appointed Director-General 1855, died 1871. F.R.S. 1826; P.G.S. 1831-33, 1841-43; P.R.G.S. 1844-45, 1852-53, 1857-59, 1863-71; Kt. 1845; Pres. B.A. 1846; Copley Medal 1849; Brisbane Gold Medal 1859; K.C.B. 1863; Wollaston Medal 1864; Bart. 1866. (G.M., 1871, p. 481; Proc. R.S., XX, 1872, p. xxx; Q.J.G.S., 1872, p. xxix; Memoir, A. Geikie, 1875; Register, R.S.M., 1896, p. lxix.) |  |
| Nolan, Joseph (1841-1902) |
Born Queen's County 1841. Museum of Irish Industry. Appointed Temporary Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1867, Geologist 1883, Senior Geologist in charge of Irish Office 1890, retired 1901, died 1902. (G.M., 1902, p. 288.) | |
| O'Kelly, Joseph (1832-1883) |
Born Dublin 1832. Trinity College Dublin. Valuation Office. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1854, Sec. (Ireland) 1856, died 1883. (G.M., 1883, p. 288.) |  |
| Oldham, Thomas (1816-1878) |
Born Dublin 1816. Trinity College Dublin. University of Edinburgh. Ordnance Survey of Ireland 1838-43. Curator to the Geological Society Dublin 1843-44. Professor of Geology Trinity College Dublin. Appointed Local Director for Ireland 1846, resigned 1850, died 1878. Geological Assistant to General Portlock, O.S. (Ireland), 1839; Chair of Geology, Dublin, 1845; Pres. Geol. Soc. Dublin 1848; F.R.S. 1848; Director, Geological Survey of India, 1851-76; Royal Medal 1875. (G.M., 1878, p. 382; .Q.J.G.S., 1879, p. 46.) |  |
| Smyth, Warington Wilkinson (Sir) (1817-1890) |
Born Naples 1817. Cambridge University. Appointed Mining Geologist 1845, Lecturer in Mining to School of Mines 1851-90, died 1890. Appointed Inspector of Mineral Property of the Duchy of Cornwall? 1851, then Chief Mineral Inspector to the Crown; F.R.S. 1858; P.G.S. 1866-68; Kt. 1887. (G.M., 1890, p. 383 Q.J.G.S., 1891, p. 51; Register, R.S.M., 1896, p. lxxxiii.) |  |
| Symes, Richard Glascott (1840-1906) |
Born Kingstown, County Dublin 1840. Trinity College Dublin. Worked in the Great Southern & Western railway Works at Inchicore. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1863, Geologist 1869, transferred to Scotland 1890, retired 1900, died 1906. (G.M., 1906, p. 432.) |  |
| Traill, William Acheson (c1844-1933) |
Born Bushmills c. 1844. Trinity College Dublin. Appointed Temporary Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1868, retired 1881, died 1933. (Belfast Telegraph, 6th July, 1933.) | |
| Warren, James Liley (?-1872) |
Born ?. Trinity College Dublin. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1867, Geologist 1870, died 1872. | |
| Wilkinson, Sydney Berdoe Neal (1849-?) |
Born Montreal 1849. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1867, Geologist 1872, transferred to Scotland 1890, transferred to England 1898, transferred to Ireland 1904, Senior Geologist 1905, retired 1914, died ?. | |
| Willson, Walter Lindsay (?-1878) |
Born ?. Worked for the Ordnance Survey for five years. Appointed (Ireland) 1845, resigned 1856, died 1878. Appointed to Geological Survey of India 1857. | |
| Wyley, Andrew (c1820- post 1885) |
Born Belfast c1820. Schoolmaster. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) 1845, resigned 1855. Appointed to Geological Survey of South Africa [Government Geologist to Cape Colony] 1855. Died post 1885. | |
| Wynne, Arthur Beavor (1835-1906) |
Born Sligo 1835. Museum of Irish Industry. Valuation Office. Appointed Assistant Geologist (Ireland) resigned 1862, re-appointed Resident Geologist (Ireland) 1883, retired 1890, died 1906. Appointed to Geological Survey of India 1862-83; Pres. Royal Geol. Soc. Ire. 1889. (G.M., 1908, p. 143; Q.J.G.S., 1908, p. lxii.) |  |
Reference abbreviations: ALLIB = Austin Allibone. A critical Dictionary of English Literature... 1899. B.A. = British Association for the Advancement of Science. B.M. = British Museum. Dept. = Department. Dir. = Director. DNB = Dictionary of National Biography. Edin. = Edinburgh. Eng. = England. F.R.S. = Fellow of the Royal Society of London. G.A. = Geologists Association. Gen. = General. Geogr. = Geographical. Geol. of Yorks. = Geology of Yorkshire, Kendall and Wroot, 1924. G.M. = Geological Magazine. H.G.S. = History of the Geological Society of London, H. B. Woodward, 1907. H.G.S. Glasgow = History of the Geological Society of Glasgow, Macnair and Mort, 1908. H.O. = Home Office. M.P.G. = Museum of Practical Geology. O.S. = Ordnance Survey. P.G.S. = President of the Geological Society of London. Pres. = President. P.R.G.S. = President of the Royal Geographical Society. Proc. = Proceedings. P.R.S. = President of the Royal Society of London. Q.J.G.S. = Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London. Register, R.S.M. = Register of the Royal School of Mines, T. G. Chambers, 1896. R.S. Royal Society. R.S.M. = Royal School of Mines. SARJ Sarjeant, W.A.S. Geologists and the History of Geology. 1980. Scot. = Scotland. Sec. = Secretary. Soc. = Society. S.P. = Summary of Progress. of the Geological Survey. Tech. = Technical. T.E.G.S. = Transactions of the Edinburgh Geological Society. Trans. = Transactions. WW = Who's Who