William Buckland

William Buckland DD, FRS (March 12, 1784 – August 14, 1856) is an English theologian who becomes Dean of Westminster.

He is also a geologist and palaeontologist.

He writes the first full account of a fossil dinosaur, which he names Megalosaurus.

His work proves that Kirkdale Cave had been a prehistoric hyena den, for which he is awarded the Copley Medal

It is praised as an example of how scientific analysis can reconstruct distant events.

He pioneers the use of fossilized feces in reconstructing ecosystems, coining the term coprolites.

Buckland follows the Gap Theory in interpreting the biblical account of Genesis as two widely separated episodes of creation.

It had emerged as a way to reconcile the scriptural account with discoveries in geology suggesting the earth was very old.

Early in his career Buckland believes he has found evidence of the biblical flood, but later sees that the glaciation theory of Louis Agassiz gives a better explanation, and plays a significant role in promoting it.

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