“As to ignorance of the science of Geology, Mrs. [Graham] confesses it: and, perhaps, that circumstance, and her consequent indifference to all theories connected with it, render her unbiassed testimony of the more value.” (Callcott, formerly Graham, 1835)

In November 1822, part of the Chilean coast was devastated by an intense earthquake. This report of geological phenomena by Maria Graham, later Callcott (1785–1842) — being one of the earliest detailed descriptions dealing with geologically relevant facts — gave rise to a vituperative debate lasting several years at the Geological Society of London about the effects of earthquakes and their role in mountain building. Although Mrs Graham’s account was entirely reasonable from a present-day view, she became trapped between the millstones of two conflicting theories which were then held.