Lyell, Charles
Published: August 18, 2006, 7:05 pm
Updated: August 18, 2006, 7:05 pm
This article has been reviewed by the following Topic Editor:
Peter Saundry
Charles Lyell (1797–1875), a British geologist noted for establishing the principles of uniformitarianism, the idea that features of the Earth's surface were produced by natural forces operating for long times (1830s). Prior to Lyell, most scientists were catastrophists, meaning they believed that changes in geological features were due to rapid forces, namely natural catastrophes. This belief was in close accordance with accounts of the Earth's history recorded in the Bible, meaning the Bible and science were still treated as harmonious. Lyell, however, argued that geological changes occurred only after long periods of time and were caused by very slow-moving forces. Uniformitarianism was embraced by those who also supported the theory of evolution because evolutionary processes also occurred over very long time scales. Lyell supported Charles Darwin's theories of evolution.
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Citation
Cutler J. Cleveland (Lead Author);Peter Saundry (Topic Editor) "Lyell, Charles". In: Encyclopedia of Earth. Eds. Cutler J. Cleveland (Washington, D.C.: Environmental Information Coalition, National Council for Science and the Environment). [First published in the Encyclopedia of Earth August 18, 2006; Last revised Date August 18, 2006; Retrieved June 19, 2013 <http://www.eoearth.org/article/Lyell,_Charles>
The Author
Cutler J. Cleveland is Professor of Earth and Environment at Boston University, where he also is on the faculty of the Center for Energy and Environmental Studies. Professor Cleveland is Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Energy (Elsevier, 2004), winner of an American Library Association award, the Dictionary of Energy (Elsevier, 2005), Handbook of Energy (Elsevier, forthcoming), and is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Encyclopedia of Earth. He is the recipient of the Adelma ... (Full Bio)
Charles Lyell (1797–1875), a British geologist noted for establishing the principles of uniformitarianism, the idea that features of the Earth's surface were produced by natural forces operating for long times (1830s). Prior to Lyell, most scientists were catastrophists, meaning they believed that changes in geological features were due to rapid forces, namely natural catastrophes. This belief was in close accordance with accounts of the Earth's history recorded in the Bible, meaning the Bible and science were still treated as harmonious. Lyell, however, argued that geological changes occurred only after long periods of time and were caused by very slow-moving forces. Uniformitarianism was embraced by those who also supported the theory of evolution because evolutionary processes also occurred over very long time scales. Lyell supported Charles Darwin's theories of evolution.
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