A Journal of Sir Henry de la Beche Pioneer Geologist (1796–1855) Written in his own Hand, edited by RichardMorris. Royal Institution of South Wales, 2013. No. of pages: 36. Price: UK£4‐95. ISBN 978‐0‐9563784‐4‐6 (paperback).

Abstract

Henry De la Beche was the first Caribbean geologist. During a visit of 12 months during 1823–1824, he produced a geological map of eastern Jamaica (De la Beche, 1827, pl. 18). This, the first geological map of any part of the Antilles, is still recognizable for its accurate lithostratigraphy. De la Beche's life was one of many achievements, but this map is surely one of the most enduring. De la Beche's monographs on geology are not as celebrated as those of eminent contemporaries such as Lyell and Darwin, but he has been well served by biographers and bibliographers. Yet A Journal … is something new, containing a previously unknown autobiographical sketch. Tom Sharpe provides a historical introduction, including photographs of some of the houses where Henry lived as a child. The second half of the book is ‘Some account of myself’ by De la Beche. Both are well-written and fascinating, and the book is neatly produced with numerous relevant illustrations. “About 1799, the free and careless expenditure of my father made it desirable that he should visit his Jamaica estates … accompanied by my mother and myself. It appears that he was in the habit of using what are commonly called ‘Quack Medicines!’ … he proceeded to a place named Bath in St. Thomas in the East, fancying that the waters there might be of service to him. Unfortunately he had taken some of his ‘Patent Medicines’ with him; these it seems he injudiciously employed (particularly one containing Mercury,) combined with the bath, and he died after an illness of a few hours …” (p. 25). “The [convoy] had weathered Hayti, and all was apparently going well, when suddenly we found ourselves among the breakers and the vessel hard and fast upon a coral reef. … The reef was separated from the Island of Inagua [in the Bahamas], for such it was, by comparatively still waters.” I will leave Henry's further adventures following ship wreck for you to read, but he, his mother and other survivors were soon rescued, and returned to Jamaica. Here Elizabeth and Henry took another vessel, and successfully returned to England. This book is readable and inexpensive. Our thanks must go to Richard Morris, who ‘rescued’ this journal of De la Beche when it was put up for sale on ebay! I recommend A Journal … to anyone with an interest in the history of geology, the geology of Jamaica or the writings of this notable savant of the first half of the 19th century.