Geologist and Archaeologist

William

Pengelly

Bond relating to the marriage of William Pengelly and Mary Anne Mudge, 1838. (Devon Heritage Centre: DEX/7/b/1/1838/268) (https://devon-cat.swheritage.org.uk/records/DEX/7/b/1/1838/268)Signature of William Pengelly, 1838. This is a signature on a legal document, do you think he had nice handwriting? (Devon Heritage Centre: DEX/7/b/1/1838/268)Transcript of William Pengelly's marriage bond. (Devon Heritage Centre: DEX/7/b/1/1838/268)This is from a book written by William Pengelly. It mentions some of the early discoveries at Kent's Cavern, 1875. (Devon Heritage Centre: Westcountry Studies Library)Kent's Cavern leaflet, 1950s. It explains why people should visit Kent's Cavern. (Devon Heritage Centre: 6169Z/Z/3) (https://devon-cat.swheritage.org.uk/records/6169Z/Z/3)How to get to Kent's Cavern, 1950s. This is the back of the last leaflet, and shows tourists how to get to Kent's Cavern. (Devon Heritage Centre: 6169Z/Z/3)Ordnance Survey map showing Kent's Cavern, 1933. (Devon Heritage Centre)This is a drawing showing the Great Hall of Kent's Cavern, 1835. At the time, there was no electric lighting down there, so people had to carry candles. (Devon Heritage Centre: Westcountry Studies Library)Article describing Pengelly's life and work, from the Devon and Exeter Gazette, 16 November 1897. Newspaper image © The British Library Board. All rights reserved. With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).Introductory address to the Torquay Natural History Society, 1863. William Pengelly was an important member and he is the person who gave the speech. The speech was published in a book. (Devon Heritage Centre: Westcountry Studies Library)

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Who were they?

Can you tell the difference between a T-Rex tooth and a pterodactyl wing bone? Even when they're fossils? Pengelly researched a lot of archaeology and fossils to learn about Torquay's history.

What did they do?

Have you heard of the Theory of Evolution? It was written by a famous scientist called Charles Darwin. Pengelly researched pre-history and geology at the same time as Darwin was working and was part of the same wave of scientific discovery.

When they lived

Pengelly is a great example of a famous Victorian who moved to Torquay. Can you think of any others?

Interesting fact

Have you ever visited Kent's Cavern? A lot of his world-famous research was based on things he found in there.

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Bond relating to the marriage of William Pengelly and Mary Anne Mudge, 1838. (Devon Heritage Centre: DEX/7/b/1/1838/268) (https://devon-cat.swheritage.org.uk/records/DEX/7/b/1/1838/268)Signature of William Pengelly, 1838. This is a signature on a legal document, do you think he had nice handwriting? (Devon Heritage Centre: DEX/7/b/1/1838/268)Transcript of William Pengelly's marriage bond. (Devon Heritage Centre: DEX/7/b/1/1838/268)This is from a book written by William Pengelly. It mentions some of the early discoveries at Kent's Cavern, 1875. (Devon Heritage Centre: Westcountry Studies Library)Kent's Cavern leaflet, 1950s. It explains why people should visit Kent's Cavern. (Devon Heritage Centre: 6169Z/Z/3) (https://devon-cat.swheritage.org.uk/records/6169Z/Z/3)How to get to Kent's Cavern, 1950s. This is the back of the last leaflet, and shows tourists how to get to Kent's Cavern. (Devon Heritage Centre: 6169Z/Z/3)Ordnance Survey map showing Kent's Cavern, 1933. (Devon Heritage Centre)This is a drawing showing the Great Hall of Kent's Cavern, 1835. At the time, there was no electric lighting down there, so people had to carry candles. (Devon Heritage Centre: Westcountry Studies Library)Article describing Pengelly's life and work, from the Devon and Exeter Gazette, 16 November 1897. Newspaper image © The British Library Board. All rights reserved. With thanks to The British Newspaper Archive (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk).Introductory address to the Torquay Natural History Society, 1863. William Pengelly was an important member and he is the person who gave the speech. The speech was published in a book. (Devon Heritage Centre: Westcountry Studies Library)

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