Adam Sedgwick and Mrs. Skinner

Adam Sedgwick's (1785-1873) letters between 1846 and 1855 addressed to Mrs. Skinner, wife of the Rev. George Skinner of King's College, Cambridge, reveal a welcome and much appreciated friendship. Sedgwick was between 61 and 71 years old at the time and in poor health. During this time his delayed Cambrian geology was published, and he apparently felt frustrated by his workload and/or still felt victimized under Roderick Murchison's (1792-1871) blows. No wonder he complains to Mrs. Skinner "Tantalus had no easy time of it; but he was a blessed man compared to me."