15 - Biographical Memoir of John Wesley Powell, 1834-1902 by William Morris Davis

Welcome to Volume VIII of the National Academy of Sciences Biographical Memoirs series. Journey with us through 33 sections, each dedicated to an integral aspect of the life of John Wesley Powell (1834-1902). Powell was a pioneering figure in the geological explorations of the West, and the driving force behind the establishment of the U.S. Geological Survey in 1879. A strong advocate for Native American tribes and culture, Powell led the Bureau of Ethnology with a passionate spirit. He penned a comprehensive study of the western U.S., championing careful irrigation and land conservation. His prediction that water rights purchased by corporations would become a significant political and environmental issue shows his visionary nature. A scientific trailblazer, Powell founded numerous scientific organizations including the National Geographic Society and the Geological Society of America. This memoir, penned by Powells contemporary, the eminent professor of geology, geography, and meteorology at Harvard, William Morris Davis (1850-1934), paints a vibrant picture of Powells inspiring life, his relentless determination, and his vast contributions to the scientific world.