Henry De la Beche

During his youth in Lyme Regis, he befriended fossil collector Mary Anning. This friendship sparked his passion for geology and the scientific illustrations he later created to support her.¹

He entered the Royal Military College at 14, but the peace of 1815 changed his career path. Leaving the military to join the Geological Society of London at 21 marked his turning point toward science and illustration.¹

He owned a slave plantation in Jamaica, a legacy that remains controversial. In 2020, a student society bearing his name was renamed following a referendum regarding his history as a slave owner.¹

The De la Beche medal was originally engraved for the slaves on his Jamaican plantation. It was later redesigned with crossed hammers and repurposed as a bursary medal for the Royal School of Mines.¹

He used satirical cartoons as a tactical tool in scientific debates. Through works like 'Awful Changes,' which mocked Charles Lyell's theories, he presented his scientific views with a sharp sense of humor.¹

In 1830, he published 'Sections and views, illustrative of geological phaenomena' to encourage accurate depictions. He believed visual precision was key to scientific understanding, helping standardize geological illustration.¹

His 1830 sketch 'Duria Antiquior' is considered the first widely circulated depiction of 'deep time.' He donated the proceeds from its lithographic prints to support his friend Mary Anning during her financial difficulties.¹

In 1835, he became the first director of the Geological Survey of Great Britain. He pioneered modern geological survey methods by promoting mapping and specimen collection as national projects.¹

During the 'Great Devonian Controversy,' he was a primary antagonist. He used cartoons as a tactful way to express his frustrations and scientific arguments visually rather than just through text.¹

He established the Museum of Practical Geology in Jermyn Street, London, donating his own books to start its library. This institution embodied his vision of linking scientific education with industrial development.¹