Joan M. Eyles

Joan Mary Eyles (15 June 1907 – 14 June 1986, Biggs) was a British geologist and historian of science, who was an expert on the geologist William Smith. Eyles donated the Eyles Collection of papers on the history and practice of geology to the University of Bristol. She was one of the founding members of the British Society for the History of Science.

Early life Joan Mary Biggs was born on 15 June 1907, in Neath. She grew up in Bridgend and attended St Winefride's Convent school in Swansea.

Education Biggs studied chemistry and geology at University College of South Wales and Monmouthshire from 1924 and graduated in 1928.

Collecting and research Eyles developed a keen interest in the history of geology and began to collect books and maps. After the war, Eyles contributed centenary noteices of geologists to Nature.

Eyles conducted "meticulous" research on William Smith.

Eyles became a member of the History of Earth Sciences Society and the Society for the History of Natural History.

Legacy Eyles donated her and her husband's book collection to the University of Bristol.