THK I.A'lli; PK01-. (;. A. L. I.KIiOUK 235 



facts, so that however much ideas on geology may change, 

 it must always remain a standard work on the strata of these 

 two counties. It placed the geology of this area on a 

 scientific basis, and paved the way for future knowledge. 



In 1870 he married Emily Nora, the daughter of Dr. 

 Hodding, a London surgeon. He had known her from boy- 

 hood, and she became a real helpmeet to him in his lifework. 



He resigned his post on the Geological Survey in 1873, 

 entering into practice as a consulting geologist, and two 

 years later was appointed Lecturer in Geological Surveying in 

 the Durham College of Physical Science. On the death of 

 Professor Page in 1879 he was elected to the Chair of Geology 

 when 32 years old. He held this appointment until his death, 

 and no man took a keener interest in the development of this 

 institution into the present Armstrong College tlian Professor 

 Lebour. All who have been in any way connected with the 

 College regret that his genial and kindly presence is no more. 



He had a philosophical grasp of the science of geology, 

 and was a master of its broader principles, yet every new 

 detail interested him. In his lectures he treated the subject 

 from the historical standpoint, and as he had met in his early 

 years some of the great pioneers of the science, his lectures 

 were often illuminated by personal references to the w^orkers 

 who laid the foundations of the present-day views on the 

 science. 



To listen to his lectures was always a pleasure. He had the 

 power of giving simple, clear and accurate statements of the 

 most complex branches of the subject, and of putting clearly 

 before his students the underlying principles. Combined with 

 this power was a perfect command of English and a charming 

 method of delivery. He had also a true gift of humour. Not 

 only had he a store of anecdotes which he could tell so as to 

 bring out their full quality, but his humour was also original 

 and spontaneous. He delighted in a good pun, and brightened 

 life by the many-sidedness of his wit. 



