The early history of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, 1814-1850
The origins and early membership of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, founded in Penzance in 1814, are examined, and it is concluded that the institution was established mainly to provide a source of culture for a middle class group of men; however in the initial years, the Cornish mining industry, in which many of them had investments, was also a major concern. Comparisons are made with a number of similar societies, including the Royal Institution of Cornwall (f. 1818) and the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic society (f. 1833). It is shown that the RGSC had some similarities with other provincial societies, but two important differences are singled out; specialisation in geology, and the relative unimportance of religious dissent. Three case studies are presented. The first describes the society's efforts to produce a geological map of Cornwall, and argues that a map published in 1832 was inadequate, and met the needs neither of the society, nor of the mining industry. The second study looks at investigations of mineral veins and a survey of Cornish mines made by WJ Henwood, and concludes that although some useful results were presented, these were of little lasting value. The work of RW Fox on the electromagnetic
Crook, Denise Anne
History
The early history of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, 1814-1850. The origins and early membership of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, founded in Penzance in 1814, are examined, and it is concluded that the institution was established mainly to provide a source of culture for a middle class group of men; however in the initial years, the Cornish mining industry, in which many of them had investments, was also a major concern. Comparisons are made with a number of similar societies, including the Royal Institution of Cornwall (f. 1818) and the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic society (f. 1833). It is shown that the RGSC had some similarities with other provincial societies, but two important differences are singled out; specialisation in geology, and the relative unimportance of religious dissent. Three case studies are presented. The first describes the society's efforts to produce a geological map of Cornwall, and argues that a map published in 1832 was inadequate, and met the needs neither of the society, nor of the mining industry. The second study looks at investigations of mineral veins and a survey of Cornish mines made by WJ Henwood, and concludes that although some useful results were presented, these were of little lasting value. The work of RW Fox on the electromagnetic
early_history royal geological society cornwall origin early membership royal geological society cornwall found examine conclude institution_establish mainly provide source culture middle_class group_men however cornish mining industry many investment also major_concern comparisons make number similar society include royal institution cornwall royal cornwall society show similarity provincial_society two_important difference single specialisation geology relative religious dissent three_case_study present first_describe society effort produce geological map cornwall argue map publish inadequate meet_need neither society mining_industry second study_look investigation mineral vein survey cornish mine make conclude although useful present little lasting value work fox electromagnetic