How did Charles Lyell become interested in geology as a young person?

Charles Lyell’s interest in geology began through a combination of his home environment and his formal education. His father, a naturalist, maintained a study well-stocked with books on various subjects, including geology, which provided Lyell with early exposure to the field.1

While Lyell was not a particularly diligent student during his time at private schools, he developed a strong instinct for scientific observation by collecting butterflies and aquatic insects, a hobby that fostered his later ability to collect and compare data.1

His formal interest in the subject was significantly stimulated at Oxford University by the enthusiastic lectures of William Buckland. Lyell further developed his expertise by conducting geological studies during his long vacations, including observations on the origin of the Yarmouth lowlands in 1817 and extensive geological and cultural notes made during a continental tour with his family in 1818.1