(Born: North Cray, Kent, England, 11 July 1795; Died: London, England, 16 September 1857) English geologist & mineralogist.

Trimmer studied under William Davison, curate of New Brentford. In 1814, he was sent to manage his father's copper mine in North Wales. He was appointed overseer of the slate quarries near Bangor and Carnarvon, Wales in 1825. Trimmer took in 1840 a position with the Geological Survey of England. He discovered sands with marine fossils of existing species 1,350 ft. above sea level and did work to classify mineral desposits. He was elected a Fellow of the Geological Society.

Biographical references: Allibone, Dictionary of English Literature, 1859-71. • BBA: I 1095, 80-82; II 1809, 330. • Boase, Modern English Biography, 1892-1921. • DNB. • Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th edition. • Poggendorff: 2, col. 1135. • Sarjeant, Geologists, 1980: 3, 2289. • WBI. • World Who's Who in Science: 1687.

Practical Geology and Mineralogy, 1841

1. English, 1841.
Practical | Geology And Mineralogy; | with instructions for the | qualitative | Analysis Of Minerals. | By | Joshua Trimmer, F.G.S. | [rule] | - Itum est in viscera terræ | [vignette showing two miners working underground] | London: | John W. Parker, West Strand. | [short rule] | M.DCCC.XLI.

8°: π¹ b⁴ c⁸ B-2K⁸ 2L⁴; 273l.; [i]-xxvi, [1]-519, [1] p., frontispiece (showing four views of prehistoric landscapes with animals), 212 woodcut illus. Page size: 216 x 138 mm.

Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii]-ix, "Preface."; [x], Errata.; [xi]-xxii, "Contents."; [xxiii]-xxiv, "Alphabetical List Of Fossil Remains | Figured In The Course Of This Work."; [xxv]-xxvi, "Explanation Of The Frontispiece."; [1]-487, Text.; [488], Blank.; [489], "Postscript, | On | The Glacial Theory Of M. Agassiz."; [490], Blank.; [491]-495, Text.; [496], Blank.; 497-519, "Index."; [1 pg], "London: | Harrison and Co., Printers, | St. Martin's Lane."

Very scarce. This little known but highly interesting textbook deals with both mineralogy and geology. The first section covers mineralogy in all its aspects including a great deal on mineralogical chemistry while the later deals with geology. It is illustrated throughout with interesting and quaint woodcuts.

Bibliographical references: BL [726.i.13.]. • NUC: 601, 450-1 [NT 0336685].

2. English, 1842 [American issue].
Practical | Geology And Mineralogy; | with instructions for the | qualitative | Analysis Of Minerals. | By | Joshua Trimmer, F.G.S. | [rule] | - Itum est in viscera terræ | [vignette showing two miners working underground] | Philadelphia: | Lea And Blanchard. | 1842.

8°: [v]-xxviii, [25]-527, [1] p., frontispiece, illus., plates. Very scarce.

Contents: [Frontispiece].; [v-vi], Title page, verso "C. Sherman, Printer..."; [vii]-xi, "Preface."; [xii], Blank.; [xiii]- "Contents."; [xxiv], Blank.; [xxv]-xxvi, "Alphabetical List Of Fossil Remains."; [xxvii]-xxviii, "Explanation Of The Frontispiece."; [25]-501, Text.; [502], Blank.; 503-506, "Glossary."; [507]-527, "Index."; [1 pg], Blank.

Bibliographical references: BL [no copy listed]. • NUC: 601, 450-1 [NT 0336686]. • Ward & Carozzi, Geology Emerging, 1984: no. 2200.

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