author
Clement Reid
1853–1916
A self-taught British geologist and palaeobotanist, he helped uncover how ancient landscapes and plant life shaped Britain. His work ranged from geological mapping to influential studies of submerged forests and the origins of British flora.
1 Audiobook
Submerged forests
by Clement Reid
About the author
Born in London on 6 January 1853, Clement Reid became one of Britain's notable geologists despite having little formal education. He joined the Geological Survey in 1874, built a reputation through fieldwork and mapping, and was later elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Reid is best remembered for combining geology with botany in ways that made prehistoric environments feel vividly real. He studied topics such as Pliocene deposits, submerged forests, and fossil plant remains, and his books included The Origin of the British Flora and Submerged Forests.
He died on 10 December 1916. His scientific legacy also connects with that of his wife and collaborator, Eleanor Reid, with whom he worked on important palaeobotanical research.