The Earth Sciences Collection reflects the long and distinguished history of teaching and studying geology at the University of Bristol. Some of the oldest donations go back to 1876 when geology was first taught at the University College of Bristol.
The extent of the collection is largely due to the efforts of four people; Professor S.H. Reynolds, T.R. Fry, Professor W.F. Whittard and Professor R.J.G. Savage who proactively purchased, collected and exchanged samples and specimens with the intention to build a comprehensive university teaching collection.
From the 1950s onwards the focus shifted from educational to research specimens. Material gathered during field expeditions entered the collection. At the same time, local collectors made major contribution to the understanding of the local geology in and around Bristol and donated their collections to the university.
The timeline below highlights some of the people who contributed to our collection. This is work in progress and by no means complete. We are currently revisiting our archives to uncover the hitherto untold or overlooked contributions made to our collection by a diverse range of collectors or communities. We recognise that the collection holds significance both to indigenous communities across the world and to diverse communities here in Bristol. More under Colonial Legacies and Decolonisation.
Main collectors before 1900
Aitken J, Baker H, Hemingway W, Peach C W, Pring, J D, Roberts T, Roscoe, Shaw, Stoddart W W, White M E
Main collectors 1900-1930
Fry, T.R., Bryant B, Resser C E, Fry T R, Getz N L, Perry J, Reynolds S H, Shaw, Smith S, Tutcher J W, Underhill J T, Wickes W J H, Williamson E A, Wilson E A
Please contact us if you would like to find out more about the donors of our collections.