A treatise on the building and ornamental stones of Great Britain and foreign countries, arranged according to their geological distribution and mineral character 1872

This is the title page of “A Treatise on the Building and Ornamental Stones of Great Britain and Foreign Countries,” written by Edward Hull and published in London in 1872. Hull, a prominent geologist and director of the Geological Survey of Ireland, reveals the ways in which science was being harnessed in the service of Empire. The British Empire relied on natural resources extracted from colonized lands, and this book illustrates how geological knowledge was crucial for identifying, classifying, and utilizing those resources. The very act of categorizing stones by their geological distribution reflects the impulse to map and control the earth's resources. The book served both practical and ideological purposes, aiding in the construction of imperial infrastructure while also reinforcing a sense of British scientific authority. By studying the material culture of the British Empire, we can better understand how science, industry, and colonialism were intertwined. Examining publications like this within their historical context allows us to critically assess the legacy of imperialism and its ongoing impact on our world.