Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Ansted, David Thomas
ANSTED, DAVID THOMAS, F.R.S. (1814–1880), a geologist of considerable reputation in his time, was born in London in 1814, educated in a London school and at Jesus College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1836, being afterwards elected a fellow of his college. The earlier part of his life was devoted to educational work. He was professor of geology at King's College, London, and lecturer at Addiscombe and at the Civil Engineering College at Putney. From 1844 to 1847 he acted as assistant-secretary of the Geological Society, and for many years he edited its quarterly journal. In later life, from about 1850, he turned to the practical applications of geology in connection with mining, engineering, water-supply, and the like, and was constantly consulted on such matters both in this country and abroad. He was a prolific author, and some of his geological writings for a time kept their place as standard authorities, while others of a popular character attained a wide circulation. Among the former may be mentioned his 'Geology' (1844), and among the latter his 'Great Stone Book of Nature' (1863). He also wrote several books of travel, besides contributing a great number of papers to the Geological Society, the British Association, the Society of Arts, and other societies. His death took place at his residence near Woodbridge, Suffolk, in May 1880.
[Engineer Newspaper, xlix. 393; Geol. Mag. 1880, p. 336, or Quart. Journ. Geol. Soc. xxxvii. 43; Journ. Soc. Arts, xxviii. 637.]