James Hutton was an 18th-century Scottish geologist, often referred to as the "Father of Modern Geology." He is best known for his theory of uniformitarianism, which suggests that the Earth's features were shaped by continuous and observable processes over long periods. This idea contrasted with the prevailing belief in catastrophic events as the primary drivers of geological change. Hutton's work laid the foundation for the study of geology and influenced later scientists, including Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin. His observations in the Scottish countryside, particularly at Siccar Point, demonstrated the concept of deep time, showing that the Earth is much older than previously thought.