Charles Lyell was a British geologist born in 1797, best known for his work in establishing the principles of modern geology. His most significant publication, *Principles of Geology*, argued that the Earth was shaped by slow, continuous processes, a concept known as uniformitarianism. This idea contrasted with the then-popular belief in catastrophic events shaping the planet. Lyell's work laid the foundation for the understanding of geological time and the processes that shape the Earth. He influenced many scientists, including Charles Darwin, by providing a framework for understanding the gradual changes in the Earth's landscape over millions of years.