George Campbell, 8th Duke of Argyll

George John Douglas Campbell, 8th and 1st Duke of Argyll, was a Scottish polymath and Liberal statesman. He made a significant geological discovery in the 1850s when his tenant found fossilised leaves embedded among basalt lava on the Island of Mull. He also helped to popularise ornithology and was one of the first to give a detailed account of the principles of bird flight in the hopes of advancing human flight. His literary output was extensive writing on topics varying from science and theology to economy and politics. In addition to this, he served prominently in the administrations of Lord Aberdeen, Lord Palmerston, John Russell and William Gladstone.