her book "physical geography" was published in 1848 and was the first english textbook on the subject. it remained in use as textbook until the early 20th century. at the time of publication it was financially very successful and brought her the victoria gold medal of the royal geographical society. somerville followed, as she said, "the noble example of baron humboldt, the patriarch of physical geography", and she took an extended view of geography that included the earth, its animal, "vegetable inhabitants", as well as "the past and present condition of man, the origin, manners, and languages of existing nations, and the monuments of those that have been".