none 10.1144/1470-9236/07-063 Geological Society of London Geological Society of London 1881 33008498 67378 2024072301351800737 10.1144 2024-07-23T06:03:56Z 2008-05-30T15:20:49Z 6 Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology QJEGH 1470-9236 2041-4803 05 30 2008 05 2008 41 2 A. Forster Engineering geologist, Radcliffe-upon-Trent, Nottingham () H.J. Reeves British Geological Survey, Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham NG12 5GG, UK() William Smith started his career in a world where much was known of geological matters and, with the publication of Hutton's Theory of the Earth , knowledge was being tempered by understanding. His early training as a surveyor gave him the skills of accurate observation and recording together with a geographically wide experience that enabled him to recognize that strata could be ordered, and outcrops correlated, by the fossils that they contained. He first recorded this new concept in 1797 and used it to create the world's first geological map (of the area around Bath) in 1799 and the first geological map of England and Wales in 1815. The national map was not only geologically detailed and accurate but also showed collieries, mines, canals and reclaimed land. Smith's intention was for it to show where to look for (and not look for) minerals. Thus, his recognition of ordered correlatable strata, his creation of the first geological map, his expertise in draining land, stabilizing landslides and planning canal routes amply demonstrates his ability to create, and apply, the 3D geological model that is a prime requisite in modern engineering geological practice. Therefore, he should be regarded as the first engineering geologist of the modern world. This paper will demonstrate the validity of this assertion. 05 30 2008 05 2008 165 170 10.1144/1470-9236/07-063 https://doi.org/10.15223/policy-002 10.1144/1470-9236/07-063 https://www.lyellcollection.org/doi/10.1144/1470-9236/07-063 https://www.lyellcollection.org/doi/pdf/10.1144/1470-9236/07-063 https://geoscienceworld.org/qjegh/article-lookup?doi=10.1144/1470-9236/07-063 Agricola G. De Re Metallica. 1556. Apvd Hieron Frobenivm et Nicolavm Episcopivm Basle. Challinor J. The History of British Geology. A Bibliographical Study. 1971. David and Charles Newton Abbot. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society 1 1942 Cox, L.R.New light on William Smith and his work. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society, XXV 1942. 1–99. Forster A. Hobbs P.R.N. Monkhouse R.A. Wyatt R.J. An Environmental Study of Parts of West Wiltshire and South East Avon. Report to the Department of the Environment. 1985. British Geological Survey Keyworth. Hooke R.Lectures and discourses of earthquakes and subterraneous eruptions. In: Waller R. (ed.) The Posthumous Works of Robert Hooke. 1705. Frank Cass & Co. London. 10.1017/S0080456800029227 Legget R.F. Cities and Geology. 1973. McGraw–Hill New York. Oakley K.P. Man the Tool-maker. 1972. British Museum of Natural History London. Phillips J. 1844. Memoirs of William Smith . The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution reprint 2003. Schneer C.J. 2004. William ‘Strata’ Smith on the web. University of New Hampshire Durham NH. World Wide Web Address: http://www.unh.edu/esci/wmsmith. html. 10.1144/GSL.QJEG.1999.032.P1.01 Smith N. A History of Dams. 1971. Peter Davies London. 10.1144/pygs.25.1.1 Smith W. 1801. Natural order of strata found in different parts of England and Wales with many observations thereon. Uncompleted preface. In : Cox L. R. (ed. 1942) New light on William Smith and his work. Proceedings of the Yorkshire Geological Society 25 . Smith W. 1806. Observations on the utility form and management of water meadows and the draining of peat bogs with an account of Prisley Bog and other extraordinary improvements conducted for his grace the Duke of Bedford Thomas William Coke Esq. and others . Printed by R. M. Bacon Norwich. 10.5962/bhl.title.106808 Smith W. 1816. Strata identified by organized fossils containing prints on coloured paper of the most characteristic specimens in each strata . W. Arding London. In : Schneer C. J. (2004) William ‘Strata’ Smith on the web. University of New Hampshire Durham NH. World Wide Web Address: http://www.unh.edu/esci/wmsmith.html. Torrens H.S. 2003. The William Smith Lecture 2000. In : Phillips J. (1844) Memoirs of William Smith . The Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution reprint 2003.