William Smith (etymologist)

William Smith was an influential 19th-century English geologist and etymologist known for his pioneering work in understanding language origins and the history of the Earth. He developed the concept of stratigraphy, which involves studying rock layers to date and understand Earth's history. His work laid the foundation for how scientists interpret geological and linguistic evolution. Smith's efforts significantly advanced the scientific methods used to study natural history and language development, making complex ideas more accessible and connecting geology with broader historical and linguistic research.