A letter has come to light revealing what went on at an SGM in 1889, writes Ted Nield
Geoscientist 18.3 March 2008
Debate over whether to admit women to the Society was – if not exactly raging – at least being held among Fellows as early as the 1880s. Gordon Herries-Davies, in his Bicentenary history of the Society, records how one Fellow, Thomas Vincent Holmes of Greenwich, proposed (during an 1889 revision of the Bye-laws) that Fellowship be opened to both sexes. However, the proposal was narrowly defeated at a Special General Meeting on March 15.
Little of detail about what went on that day has survived in the historical record. However, thanks to work on a new archive room, a colourful account has turned up in the University of Birmingham's Lapworth Museum. The account comes in the form of a letter from Jethro Justinian Harris Teall (1849-1924), to Charles Lapworth (1842-1920). Both men were in their forties at the time and had long and distinguished careers. Teall became President at the turn of the century and succeeded Sir Archibald Geikie (see below) as Director General of the Geological Survey. Lapworth, who founded the Ordovician System, was the first professor of geology at Birmingham.
The following transcript of the letter has been provided for us by Prof. Paul Smith, Head of School in the successor to Lapworth's department – the School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Birmingham.