Geologist George Alexander Louis Lebour was a minor figure in nineteenth century England. Educated at the Royal School of Mines, Lebour served as Professor of Geology at Durham College of Science and then Vice-Principal of Armstrong College, formerly Durham College of Science and presently University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. He was most associated with his publication on the geology of Durham and Northumberland and he wrote more then 100 papers mainly on carboniferous geology, heat-conductivity of rocks, and the transfer of heat through the earth's crust. The Lebour Papers are comprised of 0.25 linear feet of correspondence relating to Lebour's interest in the analysis and sharing of geological specimens, geological surveying, and underground temperatures. There are a few letters with the Geological Society of London and with Richard Howse, the curator of the Natural History museum of Newcastle-upon-Tyne regarding the loaning of specimens.

These are letters to Woodward, usually only one letter per correspondent, concerning his professional appointments, and botanical and geological research and publications. There is also scattered information regarding the Geological Society of London, and the British Museum, but little substantive material on Woodward himself.

Series I is a miscellaneous collection of letters concerning geology, geological exploration of Russia, entomology, glaciers, appointments in the British Museum, Geological Society of London business, Royal Geographical Society, references to David Livingstone, and zoology. Series II consists of letters written from America, to Murchison, discussing geology, natural history, and contemporary topics.

Adam Sedgwick (1785-1873, APS 1860), geologist, was an important figure in the development of the modern discipline of geology. He was educated at Cambridge, being ordained in 1817. An excellent field geologist, he did significant work interpreting complex old rock in such places as Devonshire (naming the Devonian Period after that location), Cornwall, and the Lake District, correlating his findings with strata in places such as Germany. Sedgwick first interpreted strata from the period he named Cambrian. He served in many professional organizations and was honored for his work with the Wollaston and Copley medals. Sedgwick, a Liberal in politics, served on committees that reformed the administration of university education. Despite being a friend of Charles Darwin's, Sedgwick was critical of the materialist bent of Darwinian thought. The 37 letters in the collection were acquired at various times, mainly through purchase, and assembled for the collection. The letters span the dates 1825-1870. Individually most letters are not especially significant, but collectively they touch on most aspects of Sedgwick's life and career. There are letters about Sedgwick's work on university reform, the Geological Museum at Cambridge, lectures, colleagues, travel, health, and family. Only one letter in the collection delves into detail about Sedgwick's geologic work.

These are primarily letters to Gray on various aspects of natural history, with many references to collections at the British Museum of Natural History. There are numerous letters from British scientists and from European colleagues. There are letters from Americans too, such as those from Agassiz which relate to his Florida expeditions and the creation of natural history collections.