7.3 Geysers and Volcanoes on Iceland
Uno von Troil (1746–1803), who would later become archbishop of Sweden,
travelled Europe after his graduation in 1770. While in London in 1772, he decided
to make a trip to Iceland together with English naturalist Sir Joseph Banks (1743–
1820), Scottish physician James Lind (1736–1812) and Swedish botanist Daniel
Solander (1733–1782), one of Linnaeus’ apostles.
After returning home, Troil wrote several letters about his experiences to publicist Christoffer Gjörwell (1731–1811), linguist and professor Johan Ihre (1707–
1780), physician Abraham Bäck (Chap. 10), a Mrs. S. Carlsson in Gothenburg and
Axel Lejonhufvud (1717–1789), cavalier of King Gustav III. Letters concerning
mineralogical and geological matters were sent to Bergman. Troil collected and
published his letters including the answers he received from Bäck, Ihre and
Bergman in a book (Fig. 7.3) called Letters, concerning a journey to Iceland
MDCCLXXII (Bref, rörande en resa til Island MDCCLXXII) in 1777. His book was
later translated to English and French.
Six letters in total were sent to Bergman in 1773. The contents of the first letter
are largely geographic, while the remaining letters mainly concern volcanoes and
hot springs; basalt pillars are also described at some length. Troil had also collected
mineral samples that he presented to Bergman, with the request that Bergman gave
his opinion on the geology of Iceland. As this was a very rare and valuable
Fig. 7.3 Engraving from the title page of Troils book about Iceland, depicting a volcano, a geyser
and hexagonal basalt pillars. Photo Anders Lennartson
92
7 Bergman’s Geological Work
Uno von Troil (1746–1803), who would later become archbishop of Sweden,
travelled Europe after his graduation in 1770. While in London in 1772, he decided
to make a trip to Iceland together with English naturalist Sir Joseph Banks (1743–
1820), Scottish physician James Lind (1736–1812) and Swedish botanist Daniel
Solander (1733–1782), one of Linnaeus’ apostles.
After returning home, Troil wrote several letters about his experiences to publicist Christoffer Gjörwell (1731–1811), linguist and professor Johan Ihre (1707–
1780), physician Abraham Bäck (Chap. 10), a Mrs. S. Carlsson in Gothenburg and
Axel Lejonhufvud (1717–1789), cavalier of King Gustav III. Letters concerning
mineralogical and geological matters were sent to Bergman. Troil collected and
published his letters including the answers he received from Bäck, Ihre and
Bergman in a book (Fig. 7.3) called Letters, concerning a journey to Iceland
MDCCLXXII (Bref, rörande en resa til Island MDCCLXXII) in 1777. His book was
later translated to English and French.
Six letters in total were sent to Bergman in 1773. The contents of the first letter
are largely geographic, while the remaining letters mainly concern volcanoes and
hot springs; basalt pillars are also described at some length. Troil had also collected
mineral samples that he presented to Bergman, with the request that Bergman gave
his opinion on the geology of Iceland. As this was a very rare and valuable
Fig. 7.3 Engraving from the title page of Troils book about Iceland, depicting a volcano, a geyser
and hexagonal basalt pillars. Photo Anders Lennartson
92
7 Bergman’s Geological Work