THE 
AMERICAN GEOLOGIST 
Vol. III. APRIL, 1889. No. 4 
MEMOIR OF MR. G. W. FEATHERSTONHAUGH. 
BY J. D. FEATHERSTONHAUGH. 
The subject of this brief memoir was born in the city of 
London, England, in the year 1780 a short time after the 
sudden death of his father, at the early age of twenty-three. 
He was descended from that branch of the family then repre¬ 
sented by Sir Matthew of Featherstonhaugh Castle, North¬ 
umberland. 
The young and widowed mother fled from the violence and 
danger of the Lord George Gordon riots, to her property in 
Yorkshire, with her nervous system impaired, and her eye¬ 
sight so seriously affected, that she gradually became totally 
blind, and remained so until her death at the ripe age of 
eighty-seven. 
At an early age he was placed at Stepney Hall, where he 
remained until fitted for one of the universities. Attaining 
his majority, the love of travel seized upon him, and despite 
the difficulties and dangers of almost constant warfare, he 
went abroad, residing in different countries for several years, 
with occasional visits home, laying the foundation of those 
extensive philological attainments which distinguished him 
in after life. 
The American Union was then a new country and nation, 
paving the way to political eminence, and offering the ob- 
