The Murchison Medal is an academic award established by

Roderick Murchison Sir Roderick Impey Murchison, 1st Baronet (19 February 1792 – 22 October 1871) was a Scottish geologist who served as director-general of the British Geological Survey from 1855 until his death in 1871. He is noted for investigating and desc ...

, who died in 1871. First awarded in 1873, it is normally given to people who have made a significant contribution to

geology Geology (). is a branch of natural science concerned with the Earth and other astronomical objects, the rocks of which they are composed, and the processes by which they change over time. Modern geology significantly overlaps all other Earth ...

by means of a substantial body of research and for contributions to 'hard' rock studies. One of the closing public acts of Murchison's life was the founding of a chair of geology and mineralogy in the

University of Edinburgh The University of Edinburgh (, ; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a Public university, public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Founded by the City of Edinburgh Council, town council under th ...

. Under his will there was established the Murchison Medal and geological fund ( The Murchison Fund) to be awarded annually by the council of the

Geological Society of London The Geological Society of London, known commonly as the Geological Society, is a learned society based in the United Kingdom. It is the oldest national geological society in the world and the largest in Europe, with more than 12,000 Fellows. Fe ...

Murchison medalists

Source:
Geological Society

References

{{Geological Society of London Geology awards Awards of the Geological Society of London Awards established in 1873 British science and technology awards 1873 establishments in England

Murchison medalists

See also

References