Charlotte Murchison facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charlotte Murchison
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Charlotte Murchison in 1860
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| Born |
Charlotte Hugonin
18 April 1788 Nursted House, near Petersfield, Hampshire
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| Died | 9 February 1869 (aged 80) Belgravia, London
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| Spouse(s) | Roderick Murchison |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Geology |
Charlotte Murchison (born Charlotte Hugonin; 18 April 1788 – 9 February 1869) was an important British geologist. She was born in Hampshire, England. She was married to a famous geologist named Roderick Impey Murchison.
Charlotte and Roderick traveled a lot across Europe. They visited places like France, the Alps, and Italy. Charlotte also drew many geological features, like cliffs and fossils. She made these sketches during their trips around England, including the Yorkshire coast in 1826.
Charlotte collected many fossils during their travels. She also loved to study and draw throughout her life. She used what she learned from the painter Paul Sandby to create geological sketches. Many of her drawings showed the landscape in an emotional way, not just focusing on tiny details.
Her work greatly helped her husband's publications. Many of her illustrations, like "Valley of Gosau," appeared in his books. Charlotte is often seen as a big influence on her husband's career. Sadly, on one trip, she caught malaria. She suffered from this illness for the rest of her life. She passed away at age 80.
Charlotte Murchison died on 9 February 1869 in Belgrave Square, London. She was buried at Brompton Cemetery in London.
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Charlotte's Early Life and Family
Charlotte was born to General Francis Hugonin and Charlotte Hugonin (née Edgar). Her father was very smart, and her mother was a talented botanist. When Charlotte was 27, she met Roderick Impey Murchison, who was a soldier. They got married on 29 August 1815.
In 1816, the young couple went on a trip to France, the Alps, and Italy. Charlotte carefully observed different plants growing among rock formations. While in Rome, Charlotte became very sick with malaria. She almost died, and the illness affected her health for the rest of her life.
In Rome, the Murchisons became good friends with Mary Somerville. Mary later wrote that Charlotte was a kind and talented woman. She drew well and had studied science, especially geology. Mary believed Charlotte's interest in geology inspired her husband to pursue it too.
How Charlotte Influenced Her Husband
After their trip to Europe, the Murchisons moved to Barnard Castle. Charlotte kept collecting and studying minerals. Her husband, Roderick, was not focused on geology at this time. After years of her own studies, Charlotte, along with Sir Humphry Davy, convinced Roderick to study geology. In 1824, they moved to London so Roderick could attend geology lectures.
Once Roderick started studying geology, Charlotte became his constant companion. She joined him on his travels, studies, and fieldwork. On one trip to the southern coast of England, Charlotte went fossil-hunting with Mary Anning. They became close friends.
During her travels with Roderick, Charlotte would buy or search for fossils. She often studied them on her own. Her fossil collection was so good that other scientists used her specimens in their work. James De Carle Sowerby even named an ammonite fossil, Ammonites Murchisonae, after her. Charlotte had sketched this fossil on a trip to Yorkshire.
Charlotte's Pursuit of Education
Even with all her self-study and fieldwork, Charlotte wanted more education. By 1831, Charles Lyell, a friend of the Murchisons, was giving geology lectures at King's College, London. At first, he didn't allow women in his lectures. But Charlotte kept attending, and because of her, Lyell opened his lectures to both men and women. Charlotte also tried to attend meetings of the British Science Association, despite her ongoing health issues.
In 1838, Charlotte's mother passed away. Charlotte inherited a large amount of money. This allowed the couple to move to a grand house in Belgravia, London. Their parties became popular meeting places for scientists and politicians. Many people said that Charlotte's presence made these parties very successful.
Eventually, after many years of illness, Charlotte became too weak to travel with her husband. She passed away from her long-term health problems.
Travels Across Europe
Early Travels with Roderick (1816-1818)
Charlotte traveled with her husband on many trips across Europe. Their first big trip was in the spring of 1816. They visited places in France and Italy, and also the Alps. They spent the winter of 1816 in Genoa and the next spring in Rome. This trip was not just for geology. They also learned Italian and visited famous cultural cities.
This trip was important because it was in Rome that Charlotte caught malaria. This illness affected her health for the rest of her life. Before this trip, the Murchisons didn't have much experience in geology. After spending the summer of 1818 in Italy, they returned to England.
Travels with Roderick and Charles Lyell (1828)
Their next important trip to Europe started in April 1828. On May 7, Charles Lyell joined them in Paris. From there, they began their tour of Europe together. They started in France, traveled through the Massif Central, and then went to Southern Germany. Eventually, they reached the Austrian and Tyrolese Alps.
Since they were still new to geology, this trip was a chance to learn more. One of their first important geology stops was after climbing the Puy de Dôme. In Clermont-Ferrand, Charles Lyell and Roderick Murchison often went on trips outside the city, leaving Charlotte behind. While they were away, Charlotte drew panoramas of the area. She also talked to local experts and collected plants and shells. Much of Charlotte's work during this time was used by her companions in their own studies.
After Clermont-Ferrand, the group traveled to Mont-Dore on June 5, and then to Aurillac on June 18. Here, Charlotte created more illustrations, focusing on lake limestones. They continued their journey until they reached Fréjus. Roderick got a high fever there, but Charlotte nursed him back to health. Charlotte also felt unwell, so they stopped in Nice for a while. Once Roderick recovered, they went towards Turin and Padua. At this point, Charles Lyell continued south alone. Charlotte and Roderick Murchison headed back across the Alps to England. They had heard that Charlotte's parents were ill. They hurried back until they learned their parents were better. Then they slowed down and spent more time in Germany.
Later European Travels
In later years, Roderick took more trips to Europe, including one to Russia. However, Charlotte could not join him because her malaria kept returning. The couple did manage one more trip in 1847 to the Alps and Italy. They hoped it would help Charlotte's health and allow them to do some scientific work.
Charlotte in Media
Charlotte Murchison was played by Irish actress Saoirse Ronan in the movie Ammonite (2020).
