Ramsay, Andrew Crombie (1814–1891)

Scottish geologist. He joined the Geological Survey in 1841, and became director-general in 1872. During his service he surveyed many areas in the UK, notably in Wales, where he was specially interested in the action of glaciers. He was one of the first to maintain the glacial origin of drift. Ramsay was president of the Geological Society (1862–64).

Ramsay was born in Glasgow, Scotland. He was appointed professor of geology at University College, London, in 1848, and at the Royal School of Mines in 1851; he continued his survey appointments concurrently. He was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1862, a Royal Medallist in 1880 and a knight in 1881. Among his works are Old Glaciers of Switzerland and North Wales (1860), Red Rocks of England (1871), The River Courses of England and Wales (1872), and Physical Geography of Great Britain (1894, 6th ed).