Papers of John Smith

0.30 metres

Most of this material is original except for DC 054/1 which is a photocopy of the original volume which is held at the Dick Institute, GB 0596 John Smith, see Bridson, Natural History MS Resources, 1980.

John Smith (1846-1930) was a geologist in Ayrshire and his interests included minerals and fossils. The latter was his particular speciality. His achievements in these fields included the discovery of ozokerite and urpethite in the west of Scotland and the discovery of sponges and conodonts, a series of microscopic plants and fossil footprints in Ayrshire.

John Smith was a member of the Geological Society of Glasgow who described him as "The father of our society". It is evident from this publication that he was deeply involved in their work. He was also a member of the Natural History Society of Glasgow and the Andersonian Naturalists' Society.

Although he has not published any major works, he published several articles in the Transactions of the Geological Society of Glasgow including: On a Bed of Ironstone Occuring in Trap Tuff in the Parishes of Stevenston, Dalry and Kilwinning, (1895), Charred Coal, with Graphite, and Discovery of Diamonds in the Graphite at Craigman, New Cumnock, (1896) , A Section of Carboniferous Strata near Giffen Station, Kilbirnie Branch Railway, (1893) and The Discovery of Upper Coal Measure Fossils in Ayrshire, (1907).

John Smith was Vice-President of the Geological Society of Glasgow from 17 May 1891 to 10 November 1892

The papers of John Smith consist of:

• notebooks concerning geology and natural history (1880-c1904)
• a volume containing reprints of all Smith's published articles (1883-1900)

• Footprints, Fossil
• Fossils
• Geology
• Minerals
• Natural History
• Ozokerite
• Scholarly Publishing

• Shanks | Archibald | 1870-1951 | naturalist and geologist
• Smith | John | 1846-1930 | geologist, antiquarian and natural historian

• Ayrshire (Scotland)