George Poulett Scrope
George Julius Poulett Scrope (1797–1876), geologist and political economist
1797 Born George Julius Thomson in London, son of John Thomson, a Russia merchant
1815 Entered Pembroke College, Oxford.
1816 Moved to St John's College, Cambridge, probably in search of more scientific studies.
Acquired the additional name Poulett, which his father had recently adopted from an earlier and aristocratic branch of his family.
1817–18 Explored Vesuvius and the surrounding volcanic region, the start of his interest in geology.
His scientific interests were fostered at Cambridge by Edward Daniel Clarke, the professor of mineralogy, and by Adam Sedgwick, the professor of geology.
1821 Married Emma Phipps Scrope, the only child and heir of William Scrope of Castle Combe, Wiltshire. Shortly before, he formally adopted his bride's surname in place of his own.
For the rest of his life he consistently styled himself George Poulett Scrope.
By 1823 he had greater first-hand knowledge of volcanoes and volcanic regions than anyone then active in the Geological Society in London.
1827 Published his Geology of Central France, based on his fieldwork there.
He was close to his younger brother, Charles Poulett Thomson (later Lord Sydenham), who worked in the family business before becoming an MP.
1833 Elected MP for Stroud and retained the seat unti 1867.
c.1856 he read a paper to the Geological Society.
1857 he revisited central France in 1857 and 1858 and revised his book on that region
1876 Died at home in Surrey.
See Also
Sources of Information
- Biography of George Julius Poulett Scrope, ODNB