Geologist, naturalist, philosopher and teacher, Lyman made his personality felt in many parts of the world. At various times he was concerned with the Geological Survey of Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, with surveys in Iowa and Pennsylvania, studies in Paris and Germany as well as other geological surveys in India, and finally became the Chief Geologist of the Empire of Japan.

Born in Northampton, Mass., he retired to his native land, but established his home in Philadelphia. During the later period, he was closely associated with the Academy, acting on various committees and presenting a paper at the Centenary celebration in 1912.

Of these papers which consist of letters, writings, biographical details and scientific notes, 6,000 were deposited at the library of the American Philosophical Society in 1942. The remainder of the series consists of 32 letters written to various Academy officials, namely: Martindale, Nolan, Fox and Calvert, and a “Plan to Arrange for Communications to Academy of Natural Science Meetings”, of 5 pages, dated 1898.