Person Sopwith; Thomas (1803 - 1879); surveyor and civil engineer Sopwith Thomas surveyor and civil engineer 1803 - 1879 British Male Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England 03 January 1803 18030103 At his residence 103 Victoria Street, Westminster, London, Englanf 16 January 1879 18790116 Burial: Norwood cemetery, London, England, where there is a "Sopwith Path".

Surveyor; Civil engineer Geology Engineering Education: Educated privately and apprenticed to his father as a cabinet-maker. Career: Took employment as a surveyor (1824); studied stratigraphical geology; published A Historical and Descriptive Account of All Saints' Church in Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1826); worked with Richard Grainger in the redevelopment of Newcastle Upon Tyne; collaborated with Joseph Dickinson on a survey of lead mines in the area owned by Greenwich Hospital; built up contracts in London, particularly in the area of geology (c.1830s); wrote two editions of a treatise on the use of isometric projection for drawing surveys (1834 and 1838); was instrumental in inducing the government to found the Mining Record Office (1838); produced a mining survey in County Clare, Ireland (1838); drew attention to the scientific importance of noting geological features exposed in the cuttings of railways, resulting in a grant from the British Association for his initiative (1840); employed on the development of railways in Belgium (1843); appointed agent for W.B Lead Mines (1838-1871); died from heart disease. Memberships: FRMS (President 1859-1860) FGS Athenaeum Club Institution of Civil Engineers Royal Institution British Association for the Advancement of Science The Society of Arts Royal Meteorological Society Statistical Society of London Archaeological Institute Archeological Association Medals/Awards: Telford Silver Medal (1842) Parents: Jacob Sopwith (1770–1829), builder and cabinet-maker, and Isabella, daughter of Matthew Lowes. Spouse: 1) Mary Dickenson (1828); 2) Jane Scott (1831); Anne Potter (1858) Children: Jacob Sopwith; Ursula Sopwith; Thomas Sopwith; Olive Sopwith; Thomas Sopwith; Anna Sopwith; Arthur Sopwith. Early user of three dimensional models both for practical illustration of regional geology. Wrote detailed diaries between 1821 and 1878 recording daily events of his professional and personal life, including accounts of meeting individuals such as Charles Babbage (FRS 1816), Charles Darwin (FRS 1839), and John Ruskin. The diaries are held in he Special Collections at Newcastle University Library. Fellow 05/06/1845 42 William Buckland; William Henry Fitton; Roderick Impey Murchison; Henry Thomas de la Beche; John Taylor; George Bellas Greenough; Richard Owen; John Rennie; John Edwin Gray; Woronzow Greig; Richard Phillips; Edward Sabine Sources: Bulloch's Roll; DNB; Norwood Cemetery Conservation Plan, Lambeth: London Borough of Lambeth. 2018. p. 80. Retrieved 9 August 2018. Sopwith T, IM Maull 004319.jpg International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa 1996 ISBN 0-9696035-3-3 National Council on Archives, Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997 https://pictures.royalsociety.org/results?mi_search_type=adv&mi_adv_search=yes&adv_person_id=AUTH7940 3 Jan 1803 - 16 Jan 1879 The past Fellows entries are under continuous revision. If you have queries or additional information to contribute, please contact Library@royalsociety.org. Content in external sources is not controlled by the Royal Society and historical sources may include content that is now unacceptable. Reviewed on 14/02/2024 as part of the Name Authority Project update. NA7643 21/11/2001 Andyg Martind 17/09/2025 RS_NET\VirginiaM Yes 3639d1a9-b3a5-4caa-9bed-30a4ddb7ecde