William Buckland was a British geologist and paleontologist, born in 1784. He is best known for his work in the early study of fossils and for being one of the first to describe a dinosaur, specifically the Megalosaurus. Buckland's contributions helped lay the groundwork for the field of paleontology. In addition to his paleontological work, Buckland was a prominent figure in geology. He served as the first professor of geology at Oxford University and published several important works on the subject. His research significantly advanced the understanding of Earth's history and the processes that shape it.