Trawling through the on-line material available for Henry de la Beche, Mary Anning's life-long friend, I came across the following entry:
Henry T. De la Beche (1796 1855) began his geological career within an
elite circle (Geological Society of London, 1817; FRS, 1819),
collaborating with influential gentlemen geologists and publishing
original research. When his independent income dwindled, De la Beche
managed to secure governmental funding for his mapping projects. This
led to recognition of the Geological Ordnance Survey (1835) with De la
Beche as director. However, De la Beche’s most influential role
emerged from his unique position of successfully bridging the privileged
circle of gentlemen geologists and the working class of emerging
professionals. Henry De la Beche advocated education and knowledge of
the Earth for all social classes. He used his government influence to
lobby for the establishment of facilities and organizations dedicated to
geology’s growing professionalization and popularization. The
Museum of Practical Geology, School of Mines, and Mining Records Office
were founded largely through his efforts, and each included educational
components. De la Beche believed that geological instruction should
transcend social boundaries, and thus he was an early advocate for the
instruction of lower classes. Henry De la Beche can be acknowledged as
an early champion of geological literacy for the general population.
What is fascinating, is that this is from The Smithsonian/NASA Astrophysics Data System, a strange place for such an earth-bound subject.
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