Which English engineer and amateur geologist (his first name was William) is generally credited with first demonstrating the principle of faunal succession from his observations in building canals?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

William Smith, an English engineer and amateur geologist, is credited with demonstrating the principle of faunal succession, which he observed while working on canals. This principle states that sedimentary rock layers contain fossilized flora and fauna, which succeed each other vertically in a specific, reliable order that can be used to date the layers.

Which English Engineer and Amateur Geologist (His First Name Was