Professor Matthew Heddle (1828-97) was a larger-than-life character, a renowned academic and one of Scotland's most famous mineralogists. His rich legacy includes:
- Encyclopaedia Britannica 9th edition (section on Mineralogy)
- A fossil fish Heddleichthys
- A mineral named after him (Mattheddleite)
- A summary of the Mineralogy of Scotland (published posthumously)
- 55 scientific papers
- 5700 specimens from his collection now housed in the National Museum of Scotland and the National Museums Collection Centre.
- 10 children
This book, by Heddle's great-great-grandson, is not an account of his scientific work but is about Heddle the man; it provides a much fuller picture of him than anything that has appeared before.
1 - Heddle's parentage
2 - Childhood and schooling
3 - The Edinburgh doctor
4 - Early mineralogical activities
5 - University of St Andrews
6 - Heddle's collecting and scientific papers
7 - Heddle the mountaineer
8 - The retired professor: a new beginning
9 - Heddle's last years and legacy
Hamish Johnston is Matthew Heddle's great-great-grandson.