William Edmond Logan
Images
Timeline
| Date | Details |
|---|---|
| 1798 | Born. |
| 1835 | Appointed. |
| 1842 | Resigned. |
| 1842 | Initiated Geological Survey of Canada. |
| 1843-1869 | Director Geological Survey of Canada. |
| 1851 | F.R.S. |
| 1856 | Knight. |
| 1856 | Wollaston Medal. |
| 1867 | Royal Medal. |
| 1875 | Died. |
Biographies and obituaries
Life of Sir William E. Logan, B.J. Harrington. 1883.
Q.J.G.S. 1876, p. 76.
Sir William Edmond Logan journals, 1843-4. Reference: NLW MS 21715-16B The National Library of Wales
Publications
BGS archives
Other archives
Written in Stone: William E. Logan and the Geological Survey of Canada Library and Archives Canada
Sir William Edmond Logan FRS (1798–1875)
William Edmond Logan Sir William Edmond Logan, a Canadian, was influential amongst early nineteenth century British geologists and collaborated with the BGS's first Director, Henry de La Beche, mapping parts of South Wales.
Sir William Edmond Logan was born in Montreal, Canada in 1798; his parents were Scottish émigrés, but Logan returned to Scotland to attend school and university.
Later he became the manager of a copper works in Swansea, where his interest in the local coalfield geology began.
In 1842 Logan returned to the land of his birth to become the first Director of the Geological Survey of Canada, where he continued to work for many years, before retiring to West Wales. He died in 1875.
Today, Logan is recognised as Canada’s most important scientist, a trailblazer, and Canada’s highest mountain is named in his honour.
The National Museum of Wales recently dedicated an exhibition to William Edmond Logan where you can find further details about his life and work.