The Resume

(November 14, 1797-February 22, 1875)
Born in Kinnordy, Scotland, United Kingdom
Geologist
Popularized uniformitarianism, which states that the natural laws of the universe are always at work
Renamed Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary eras into Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic, respectively
Divided Tertiary (Cenozoic) era into Pliocene, Miocene, and Eocene periods
Wrote 'Principles of Geology' (1830-1833), 'Elements of Geology' (1838), 'Travels in North America' (1845), 'A Second Visit to the United States' (1849), and 'Geological Evidences of the Antiquity of Man' (1863)
Knighted (1848)
Made a Baronet (1864)
Namesake of the Lyell Medal, which awards individuals for their contributions in geology
Died in London

Why he might be annoying:

He was largely overshadowed by Charles Darwin.
He wasn't a diligent student at school.
His wife was twelve years his junior.
His belief that geological change was slow and gradual rather than caused by inexplicable disasters like Noah's Flood generated much controversy as well as being popular.
'Principles of Geology' sold so well that he had to make new editions for it.

Why he might not be annoying:

His popularization of uniformitarianism exerted a tremendous influence on Charles Darwin, whom he was close friends with.
His promotion of uniformitarianism helped improve extractive industries like coal and oil by noting the economic benefits geological surveys provide.
He supported the Union cause during the American Civil War while many well-off Victorians supported the South.
He was one of the first people to donate books for the founding of the Chicago Public Library.
Three mountains, two glaciers, a crater on the Moon, a crater on Mars, and a peninsula in Greenland are all named after him.

Credit: Big Lenny

Featured in the following Annoying Collections:

• 18th Century Scientists
• 19th Century Scientists
• Big Lenny's Profiles [Series 03]
• I am Scottish
• I'm Buried at Westminster Abbey
• Knights
• Look at Me, My Picture Is Art
• My Spouse is at Least Ten Years Younger than Me
• Profiles 34751-35000 (Ranked: 34794)
• Scientists
• We Died on the Same Day (Ranked: 18750222)

Year In Review:

For 2024, as of last weekly ranking, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2023, Out of 1 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2021, Out of 9 Votes: 66.67% Annoying
In 2020, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2019, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2018, Out of 11 Votes: 45.45% Annoying
In 2017, Out of 6 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2016, Out of 3 Votes: 0% Annoying
In 2015, Out of 7 Votes: 42.86% Annoying
In 2014, Out of 16 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
In 2013, Out of 56 Votes: 50.0% Annoying