Historic collections containing fossil molluscs
The Natural History Museum’s fossil mollusc holdings include many important collections linked to major characters in the history of palaeontology.
Highlights include:
- Sowerby Collection, consisting of specimens illustrated in the Mineral Conchology.
- William Smith Collection, containing the specimens associated with his pioneering mapping of Britain.
- FE Edwards Collection, which formed the basis for the study British Tertiary, and includes Palaeontographical Society Monograph specimens.
- Solander Collection, containing some of the first British fossils to be named and described.
- Sir Charles Lyell Collection of specimens collected from Atlantic Ocean Islands by one of the world’s most-celebrated geologists.
- Sir Charles Darwin Collection, containing specimens collected from South America during the voyage of HMS Beagle.