Wollaston Medal, Geological Society of London

The Wollaston Medal is the highest award of the Geological Society. This medal is normally given to geologists who have had a significant influence by means of a substantial body of excellent research in either or both 'pure' and 'applied' aspects of the science. The medal is named after William Hyde Wollaston, and was originally made of palladium, a metal discovered by Wollaston. It was first awarded in 1831 to William Smith, whose geological map of England, Wales and part of Scotland, now regarded as 'the map that changed the world', was the first of its kind. First published in 1815, the map is this year celebrating its bicentenary.