Clement le Neve Foster facts for kids

Sir Clement le Neve Foster (23 March 1841 – 19 April 1904) was an English geologist and mineralogist. This means he studied the Earth's rocks, minerals, and how they formed. He was also an expert in mining.

Clement's Early Life and Education

Clement le Neve Foster was born in Camberwell, England, in 1841. He was the second son of Peter le Neve Foster, who was a secretary for an important group called the Society of Arts.

Clement went to school in Boulogne and Amiens before studying at the Royal School of Mines in London. He also studied at a mining college in Freiburg, Saxony. These schools taught him a lot about geology and mining.

Working as a Geologist

In 1860, Clement joined the Geological Survey in England. This group studies the land and its rocks. He worked in areas like the Weald and Derbyshire.

With another geologist named William Topley, Clement wrote an important paper in 1865. In this paper, they explained how rain and rivers helped shape the land in the Weald area. This was a big idea at the time!

Becoming a Mining Expert

After leaving the Geological Survey in 1865, Clement focused on minerals and mining. He worked in places like Cornwall, Egypt, and Venezuela. He also taught miners and became a secretary for the Royal Cornwall Polytechnic Society.

Mine Inspector and Professor

In 1872, Clement became a mine inspector for the southwest of England. His job was to make sure mines were safe for workers. In 1880, he moved to the North Wales area to continue his work as an inspector.

Later, in 1890, Clement became a professor of mining at the Royal College of Science. He taught students all about mining until he passed away. He was known for knowing a lot about mining for metals and stones.

Important Recognition

Clement le Neve Foster was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1892. This is a very special honor for scientists in the UK. In 1903, he was knighted, which means he was given the title "Sir" for his important work. From 1901 to 1902, he was also the President of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall.

Sadly, in 1897, Clement got very sick while investigating a mining accident at the Snaefell Mine on the Isle of Man. He never fully recovered and passed away in London on 19 April 1904.

Clement's Family and Books

Clement married Sophia Chevallier Tompson in 1872. They had three children: a son named Vivian, and two daughters named Olga and Helen.

He also wrote important books about mining:

• Ore and Stone Mining (first published in 1894)
• The Elements of Mining and Quarrying (published in 1903)