It's been called the most important scientific book ever. A stunning claim, but certainly Charles Lyell's Principles of Geology, published in 1830, shook prevailing views of how Earth had been formed.

The gravestone is of Carboniferous limestone from Wirksworth in Derbyshire and contains small fossil crinoids (sea lilies) and its inscription, by Professor Huxley, reads: CHARLES LYELL BARONET F.R.S.

He founded modern historical geology and set the stage for the achievement of Charles Darwin. Until late in his career, however, he was reluctant to accept the idea of evolution By Loren C. Eiseley ...