Charlotte Murchison (1788-1869)

Charlotte Murchison was a British geologist and pioneer of geological research and fossil hunting. The Charlotte Murchison Lecture Theatre in Murchison House, King's Buildings, was officially opened in 2022 on International Women's Day.

Lady Charlotte Murchison was a geologist who made significant contributions to our understanding of fossils, and was instrumental in her husband Sir Roderick Murchison's research. During Murchison’s lifetime, she amassed an impressive collection of fossils and created accurate, impressive sketches of geological features such as cliffs and valleys.

Murchison contributed a great deal to her husband’s publications, including her illustration “Valley of Gosau” (see image). Her interest in geology and skills in drawing undoubtedly contributed to the success of her husband's research. In fact, fellow scientist Mary Somerville said of Murchison "she had studied science, especially geology, and it was chiefly owing to her example that her husband turned his mind to those pursuits in which he afterwards obtained such distinction".

Murchison was often overlooked in her lifetime, and at times refused an education due to her gender. This refusal came from the famous geologist Charles Lyell, however he changed his mind following the lobbying of a crowd of women who demanded higher education. In this crowd were Charlotte Murchison and Mary Somerville. 

Following a discovery in Portree, the Isle of Skye, the fossil Ammonites Murchinsoniae was named in her honour, and Murchison is now widely recognised as an important figure in the study of geology and fossils.

On International Women's Day 2022, the Charlotte Murchison Lecture Theatre in Murchison House, King's Buildings, was named after her.

To read more, visit: Charlotte Murchison Wikipedia Article