The island, the volcanic chemical phenomena and the regius professor Daubeny

Abstract

In the library of the Gioenian Academy are stored two copies of the book A Description of active and extinct Volcanoes, of Earthquakes, and of Thermal Springs (London 1848, II edition), bearing a dedication to the Academy by Dr Charles Daubeny. The author was a prominent chemist, geologist and botanist which made a particular endeavour to write A kind of Guide-book to the explorers of Districts in which Volcanic phaenomena occur abroad. Daubeny was elected to the prestigious Aldrichian Chair of Chemistry, University of Oxford (1834), was appointed to the Sherardian Chair of Botany (1834) and to the Sibthorpian Chair of Rural Economy (1840). He undertook interesting travels to Europe and North America (1819-1845), particularly three journeys to the south of Italy (1823-1845). He wrote Sketch of the Geology of Sicily (The Edinburgh Philosophical Journal, 1825), a booklet in two parts never translated into Italian. During the visit to the Etna region Daubeny had contact with local scholars such as Mario and Carlo Gemmellaro, Giuseppe Alessi and Carmelo Maravigna which supported his appointment as foreign associate of the Gioenian Society at Catania since 10 June 1824. He was the first of the squad of geologists as early foreign corresponding or honorary members. The relevance of his main book, Sicilian booklet and other works is discussed.