14 
adopted this fact as a principle of comparison, and was by it 
enabled to identify the strata in distant parts of this Island, to 
construct sections, and to complete and publish in 1815 a 
Geological Map of England and Wales. By thus devoting, during 
his whole life, all the power of an observing mind to the advance- 
ment of one Branch of Science, he gained the title of the ‘ Father 
of English Geology.’ While on his way to a Meeting of the 
British Association for the Advancement of Science at Birmingham, 
he died in this town, at the house of his friend George Baker, the 
historian of Northamptonshire, 28th of August, 1839.”* (See 
“ Geological Magazine,” 1892, P. 144.) 
A monument has just been erected by the Earl of Ducie, 
F.R.S., F.G.S., to the memory of William Smith, at Churchill, 
Oxfordshire, where he was born ; a village already famous as the 
birthplace of Warren Hastings. 
The monument is formed of huge Oolitic ragstones of the 
district, similar to the Rollright stones. The name “ Oolite” 
was given by William Smith to the rocks of the formation of 
which the higher grounds in this locality are a part. 
It is a monolith standing on a double base. The lower base 
is 104 feet square, and 3} feet high, the upper one is 6} feet 
square, and 2} feet high. The monolith stands 9g feet high 
above the upper base, and is about 3 feet square. A marble slab 
is inserted in the side facing the road from Chipping Norton, and 
bears this inscription :—“In Memory of William Smith, ‘The 
Father of British Geology ;? Born at Churchill, March 23rd, 1769 ; 
Died at Northampton, August 28th, 1839. Erected by the Earl 
of Ducie, 1891.” 
* I am indebted to the Rev. E. N. Tom, M.A., Rector of St. Peter’s, 
Northampton, for the above transcript. There is no sculptor’s name on the 
bust. 
