Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
James Hutton
Table of Contents
Introduction References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics
Images
James Hutton
For Students
James Hutton summary
Quizzes
Michael Faraday (L) English physicist and chemist (electromagnetism) and John Frederic Daniell (R) British chemist and meteorologist who invented the Daniell cell.
Faces of Science
Cross section of Earth showing the core, mantle, and crust
Everything Earth
Related Questions
Read Next
Chemical equations Chemical reactions chemistry
How Do You Balance a Chemical Equation?
Illustration of molecules. (molecular, chemistry, science)
Why Is a Group of Molecules Called a Mole?
Above the clouds 130 nautical miles below, astronaut Mark C. Lee floats freely without tethers as he tests the new Simplified Aid for Extravehicular Activity (EVA) Spacewalk Rescue (SAFER) system, Sept. 16, 1994. Space Shuttle Discovery, STS-64
Gravity: From Apples to the Universe
Discover
Coriander leaves, fresh green cilantro on wooden background, herbs
Why Does Cilantro Taste Like Soap to Some People?
Facsimile of one of William Henry Ireland's forgeries, a primitive self-portrait of William Shakespeare(tinted engraving). Published for Samuel Ireland, Norfolk Street, Strand, December 1, 1795. (W.H. Ireland, forgery)
The Time a Law Clerk Successfully Forged a New Shakespeare Play to Impress His Dad
Close-up of ostriches (Struthio camelus) necks and heads; location unknown.
6 of the World's Most Dangerous Birds
Colorful winter sunset
What's the Difference Between a Solstice and an Equinox?
King Cobra snake in Malaysia. (reptile)
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Panama Canal infographic
Timeline and Map of the Panama Canal
Scottish fold cat. A genetic mutation caused (in the original cat-1961) the ears to bend forward and down.
Shorthair Cat Breeds
James Hutton
James Hutton James Hutton was a Scottish geologist, chemist, naturalist, and originator of one of the fundamental principles of geology—uniformitarianism, which explains the features of Earth's crust by means of natural processes over geologic time.

James Hutton

Scottish geologist
Share
Share to social media
URL
https://mainten.top/biography/James-Hutton
Feedback
Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login).
Thank you for your feedback

Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

External Websites
Britannica Websites
Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.
Written and fact-checked by
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. They write new content and verify and edit content received from contributors.
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Article History
Quick Facts
Born:
June 3, 1726, Edinburgh, Scotland
Died:
March 26, 1797, Edinburgh (aged 70)
Notable Works:
“Theory of the Earth”
Subjects Of Study:
uniformitarianism

James Hutton (born June 3, 1726, Edinburgh, Scotland—died March 26, 1797, Edinburgh) was a Scottish geologist, chemist, naturalist, and originator of one of the fundamental principles of geology—uniformitarianism, which explains the features of the Earth’s crust by means of natural processes over geologic time. Hutton was the son of a merchant and city officeholder. Though Hutton’s father died when his son was quite young, Hutton managed an education in the local grammar school and at the University of Edinburgh. Although already interested in chemistry, he entered the legal profession. But as a lawyer’s apprentice, he is said to have devoted ...(100 of 926 words)

Access the full article
Help support true facts by becoming a member.