322 
Ktt iltemoriam. 
BENJAMIN HOLGATE, F.G.S. 
(1838—1915). 
To present-day geologists Benjamin Holgate was little more than a 
name, but he was well known, personally and through his work, to 
those of twenty or thirt}' years ago. Born in 1838, he passed away in 
1915, after a strenuous life, a great part of which was devoted to the 
service of his fellow-men. Born in humble circumstances, and com- 
mencing work at an early age, by dint of perseverance and good 
character, he eventually attained a very responsible position with what 
was one of the largest engineering firms in Leeds. He was a fine 
specimen of a " self-educated " man. Whilst still young, he began to 
take interest in the study of Nature, with a particular leaning towards 
Geology, which became more marked in the course of time, until he 
came to be recognised as a good amateur geologist, with a special 
knowledge of the Carboniferous rocks and their fossils, especially the 
plants. 
He had an intimate and commendable acquaintance with the geology 
of Leeds and its neighbourhood, and he was ever glad to have the 
opportunity of imparting his store of information to others, either by 
reading papers at meetings of local scientific societies, or by conducting 
excursions. A geological excursion under his guidance always attracted 
a large party, and his genial manner, homely descriptions and fund of 
anecdote drew many of those who came into contact with him on these 
occasions to take interest in our science, even if they could not be 
termed geologists. 
The diffusion of knowledge was one of his great aims in life ; his 
anxiety was for others to participate in the intense pleasure and benefit 
he derived from the study of Nature. A request for a paper or lecture 
^to a Young Men's, Working Men's, Mutual Improvement, or similar 
society, usually met with ready acceptance. Amongst such he did a 
most useful work. The connection o± the writer with Geology dates 
back to the early " eightie<='," after hearing two lectures by Mr. Holgate 
before such a society. 
Mr. Holgate joined our Society in 1875, and its Proceedings contain 
three contributions by him :— " The Minerals of the Yorkshire Coal- 
