With Centennial Copy of the First Geological Map of Alabama
This important monograph focuses on the contributions of Timothy Abbott Conrad (1803–1877), a distinguished American geologist and paleontologist renowned for his studies of fossil shells from the Tertiary and Cretaceous geological formations. Originally from New Jersey, Conrad’s expertise extended beyond his home state through his role as a New York State geologist, during which he conducted extensive fieldwork across the Southeastern United States. His research laid a foundation for the geological understanding of the region, and his work is especially noted for pioneering studies in Alabama.
The book provides a thorough examination of Conrad's geological surveys in Alabama during the early 19th century, a critical period in American geoscience when the Southeast's rich mineral deposits and stratigraphic layers were only beginning to be systematically explored. Conrad's surveys in Alabama contributed to the creation of the first Geological Map of Alabama in 1835, a significant cartographic achievement reproduced in color as a folding map included in this volume. This map marks a milestone in the state's geological documentation, vividly capturing the complexity of Alabama’s subsurface structures and mineral deposits.
In addition to its focus on Alabama, the book provides insight into Conrad’s broader travels throughout the Southeastern United States. Four sketch maps integrated into the text illustrate his expeditions across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia, reflecting his systematic efforts to document geological formations in the region. These expeditions underscore Conrad’s commitment to paleontological research and his pioneering documentation of fossils in the Southern Tertiary and Cretaceous formations.
This edition includes both the folding color geological map of Alabama and a folding table of Conrad's travels.