5G3 
IV. 
A MEMOIR OF SAMUEL WOODWARD. 
By Horace B. Woodward, F.G.S. ^ ' e ’ 
(Op the Geological Survey op England and Wales). 
Read 25 th February , 1879. 
Although as a matter of history a man will be known and judged 
according to his works, yet when these have lent aid in the 
advancement of knowledge, it is always interesting to learn under 
what circumstances the labour was achieved. 
Norfolk has special reason to be proud of the naturalists she 
has reared, and it is a pleasant duty of this Society to cherish the 
records of each one who has furthered any of the studies for which 
we are united. In pursuance of this plan I need make no apology 
for submitting a brief account of the life and writings of Samuel 
Woodward. By Mr. John Gunn he has been styled “The Father 
of Norfolk Geology,” * while his works on the Antiquities of the 
County, make his name known to and respected by all who seek 
acquaintance with the subject. Nor were his researches confined 
to archaeological and geological questions; he was an ardent 
observer in most branches of science, as may be gathered from 
numerous notes he contributed to the ‘Magazine of Natural 
History.’ Indeed, in 1S2D, before his principal works were 
published, Dawson Turner (then President of the Norfolk and 
Norwich Museum) referring, in his address, to the “naturalists 
of this opulent, enlightened, and scientific county,” spoke of 
Norfolk as then “ distinguished for the love and pursuit of 
science,” and mentioned the name of Samuel Woodward among 
many other of its cultivators. 
The only apology I may have to make, will be for entering into 
* Annual Meeting of Norwich Geological Society, Nov. 6th, 1S77. 
