William Buckland

William Buckland (1784-1856) was an English palentologist and geologist. In 1824, Buckland became the first scientist to publish a description of a dinosaur fossil, in his paper "Notice on the Megalosaurus or Great Fossil Lizards of Stonesfield." Buckland was a deeply religious man, who attempted to use geology to support scripture. His methods were critisized by scientists and theologins alike. One contemporary described his work: "The grossness of the Buffoonery acted on my like and emetic." Buckland's 1875 announcement that he had discovered dinosaur dung in Lyme Regis further discredited his work.

Buckland was also well known for his experimental diet, which included moles, puppies, and slugs.

Works Cited

Shaw, Karl. Oddballs and Eccentrics. New York: Carroll and Graf Publishers, 2004.