Alfred John Jukes-Browne

“ He was educated at the grammar school of Wolverhampton and at King Edward VI's School, Birmingham, proceeding with an exhibition from the latter to St. John's College, Cambridge, in 1830. As a boy he took an active part in all games and sports, was fond of reading, and especially delighted in books of travel.
At the university Jukes devoted himself more to outdoor recreations than to indoor study, but he was attracted to geology by the lectures of Professor Sedgwick, with whom his energy and assiduity soon made him a favourite pupil. ”

“ At the meeting of the British Association at Birmingham in 1865 Jukes lectured on the South Staffordshire coal-field, in which he recommended further exploration of the coal-fields which are buried beneath the red rocks of the midland counties, and urged ‘that such an exploration ought to be undertaken at the national expense.’ He was appointed in 1866 a member of the royal commission instituted by parliament to inquire into the resources of our coal-fields. ”

“ During this year and 1840 he performed the arduous work of a scientific pioneer and explorer in a country of which no map then existed, ultimately preparing a sketch map, a report, and a book entitled ‘Excursions in Newfoundland.’ In 1842 he was appointed naturalist to the expedition for surveying the north-east coast of Australia in H.M.S. Fly. ”