| Description | Papers relating to the Wollaston Fund bequest, comprising: letter from William Hyde Wollaston informing the Society of his investment of £1000, the dividends of which should be paid as part of a 'Donation Fund' to deserving geologists, 8 December 1828; extract from the Minutes of the Council of the Geological Society accepting the terms of Wollaston's gift, 10 December 1828; wrapper/envelope for the previous two items, which was deposited at the Society's safety deposit box at the Bank, [1828]. |
| Administrative History | Two weeks before his death, Dr William Hyde Wollaston invested £1000 in trust, the dividends of which were to be used by the Geological Society to promote researches concerning the mineral structure of the Earth, or of the science of geology in general. The first year's income was used by the Council to purchase a die for a medal bearing the head of Wollaston. The first Wollaston medal, was given to William Smith in 1831. |