author
Edward Hull
1829–1917
An Irish geologist and prolific science writer, he helped map coalfields and rock formations across Britain and Ireland and later led the Geological Survey of Ireland. His books brought big questions about landscapes, fossils, and the ancient world to a wide readership.
1 Audiobook
Volcanoes: Past and Present
by Edward Hull
About the author
Born in Antrim on May 21, 1829, Edward Hull studied at Trinity College Dublin before joining the Geological Survey in 1850. Over the course of his career he worked on geological mapping in England, Scotland, and Ireland, becoming known for his work as a stratigrapher and for his careful studies of coalfields and regional geology.
Hull went on to serve as Director of the Geological Survey of Ireland and was also professor of geology at the Royal College of Science in Dublin. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society, a sign of the respect he earned within nineteenth-century science.
Alongside his survey work, he wrote widely for both specialists and general readers. His published work reflects a lifelong interest in earth history, physical geography, and the geology of places beyond Britain and Ireland, helping make complex scientific ideas more approachable for a broader audience.