In 1807 The Geological Society first met at The Freemasons Tavern on Queen Street, London. The original building no longer exists. It is now The Connaught Rooms
In 1807 The Geological Society first met at
The Freemasons Tavern on Queen Street, London. The original building no longer exists.
It is now The Connaught Rooms
Early geologist in examining columnar basalt on Cader Idris, Wales in 1812. This illustration is in Robert Bakewell's book 'Introduction to Geology' (1813).
Early geologist in examining columnar basalt on Cader Idris, Wales in 1812.
This illustration is in Robert Bakewell's book 'Introduction to Geology' (1813).
Essai d’une carte geólogique di globe terrestre’ by Ami Boue´. The is the first attempt of a geological map of the globe, displayed as a manuscript map in 1843 at a meeting in Austria. This published version, shown here is dated 1845.Image credit: Duncan Hawley © CC-by-NC
Essai d’une carte geólogique di globe terrestre’ by Ami Boue´. The is the first attempt of a geological map of the globe, displayed as a manuscript map in 1843 at a meeting in Austria.
This published version, shown here is dated 1845.
Image credit: Duncan Hawley © CC-by-NC
Marie Stopes, palaeobotanist, working in her laboratory, 1904. Her geological achievements and those of other women in geology feature in HOGG publications. Image credit: Marie Stopes International (with permission, in being used to further understanding about Dr Marie Stopes.)
Marie Stopes, palaeobotanist, working in her laboratory, 1904. Her geological achievements and those of other women in geology feature in HOGG publications.
Image credit: Marie Stopes International (with permission, in being used to further understanding about Dr Marie Stopes.)
1912 Geological map of the south east Highlands, Scotland, showing the first observations of a regular sequence of changes in mineralogy within metamorphic rocks by George Barrow (1853–1932) Ignored for 20 years, Barrow's zones were to unlock the understanding of regional metamorphism, and, later, the identification of ancient subduction zones.
1912 Geological map of the south east Highlands, Scotland, showing the first observations of a regular sequence of changes in mineralogy within metamorphic rocks by George Barrow (1853–1932)
Ignored for 20 years, Barrow's zones were to unlock the understanding of regional metamorphism, and, later, the identification of ancient subduction zones.

Welcome to the
History of Geology Group
HOGG

HOGG  (The History of Geology Group) 

…….exists to encourage and share interest in knowledge and study of the history of geology, encompassing the ideas, events and personalities that have shaped the way in which geology is understood and practised today.

Membership is open to anyone interested in how geological knowledge has developed and has been represented e.g. through geological maps or illustrations.

HOGG is a diverse and inclusive group. Our members are drawn from a wide range of backgrounds – there is no requirement to have geological credentials.

Amongst HOGG members are historians, artists, medics, teachers, linguists, archivists, amateurs and professionals.

We encourage interest from young people.

HOGG members enjoy a programme of regular activities: online talks,  field meetings, conferences and symposia – they receive the acclaimed HOGG magazine GeoHistories , plus regular updates via a HOGG Bulletin, and benefit from a network of knowledgeable enthusiasts.

Click here to go to the Join HOGG page with more details of subscription rates and our simple joining instructions.

Outlines of upcoming HOGG events can be found here.

HOGG produces occasional publications

For the latest snippets on history of geology topics follow our Blue Sky feed.

HOGG is affiliated to the Geological Society of London

 

Upcoming HOGG Events:

Thursday 25 June 2026 (13.00-14.00 GMT) HOGG Online:

The Geological Lecture Room, Oxford : a fresh look at a well-known group portrait with Sue Newell (Associate Researcher, Oxford University Museum of Natural History)

 In the early 1820s Oxford’s first professor of geology, William Buckland, commissioned an unusual portrait print of himself delivering a lecture. In 1976 two later 

eminent Oxford geologists, James Edmonds and James Douglas, published the lithograph in the Royal Society’s Notes and Records, establishing its importance 

as a unique visual record of an early geological lecture and a group portrait of Buckland and the Oxford men in his audience. 

Informed by new research, the talk builds on this work to reassess when, how and why the print was produced.

Registration open

HOGG Highlights

29 May 2026 - James Hutton's 300th birthday present - the Deep Time Trail launch at Siccar Point

HOGG is proud to have supported the funding that helped create the Deep Time Trail at Siccar Point.

This is a huge addition to history of geology outreach, helping the public understand the story of how we have come to know the geology of out Earth.

Siccar Point is on the Berwickshire Coast - it is a magnificent piece of coastline and well worth a visit for its beauty and grandeur alone, never mind it being an iconic geological site - an junction of strata, clearly exposed, with one set of gently tilted red beds overlying another set of nearly vertical grey beds. - a spectacular sight of an unconformity - and a historic one at that.

Back in 1787, James Hutton predicted he might find this junction along this stretch of the coast - and so he did.
The Deep Time Trail tells the significance of Hutton's observations and of the 'proof' it provided for his 1785 'Theory of the Earth'; and even better, you can see the evidence for yourself. Well worth a visit!

HOGG was represented at the launch of the Deep Time Trail by Tom Sharpe, former Chairperson of HOGG.


























10 May 2026 - Celebrating Henry Clifton Sorby's birthday bicentenary

A good many people, including HOGG members, turned out to commemorate Sheffield's greatest geologist and last great gentleman geologist, Henry Clifton Sorby (10 May 1826 – 11 March 1908).

Sorby's achievements were considerable, amongst which he founded petrographic (microscope) geology, sedimentology, modern metallurgy and the study of fluid inclusions. The methods he developed remain the basis of modern geology today.
A crowd of all ages attended the birthday bicentenary wreath-laying event at his graveside, at All Saints Church, Ecclesall, with the Sorby Natural History Society & Sheffield Area Geology Trust. Sorby's tomb is a kerb & plinth of 'Brincliffe Blue' sandstone (a highly-prized variety quarried less than a mile away), a base of Scottish Rubislaw Granite and a gable top of Peterhead Granite; with the Sorby monograph on one end and Christian 'IHS' the other.

The grave is in a prominent location aligned with the church west door and altar - a position that was probably influenced by Sorby's spiritual faith and beliefs.

The ceremony was followed by a tour of the geodiversity to be discovered in the churchyard. - a history within itself.


















Skip to content