William Smith published his landmark geologic map of England, Wales, and southern Scotland. Known as 'The Map that Changed the World,' it was the first national-scale geological map ever made. By applying the principle of faunal succession, Smith demonstrated the ordered and predictable layering of the Earth's crust. This map was a monumental achievement in the history of science and a foundational tool for the development of geology.

Smith's map provided a powerful and ordered visualization of the Earth's history, a metaphor that resonated deeply with poets and thinkers. The image of the Earth's crust as a book, with each layer telling a story of ancient life, became a cornerstone of the Victorian poetic engagement with deep time. It directly influenced writers like Tennyson and Browning, who saw in geology a way to understand the vastness of time and the interconnectedness of all life.