William Smith was an English geologist, born in 1769, who is often referred to as the "Father of English Geology." He is best known for creating the first nationwide geological map of England and Wales in 1815. His work laid the foundation for the science of stratigraphy, which studies rock layers and layering. Smith's innovative approach involved using fossils to identify and correlate different rock layers, a method that greatly advanced the understanding of Earth's history. His contributions were crucial in the development of geology as a scientific discipline, influencing future geologists and researchers, including Charles Lyell and Charles Darwin.