'Biographical Memoir of John Wesley Powell, 1834-1902' Summary

John Wesley Powell was a brilliant scientist, a fearless explorer, and a dedicated public servant. He lost his arm in the Civil War, but he never let that stop him from achieving great things. In 1869, he led the first expedition to successfully navigate the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon. His journey was a major scientific achievement, and it helped to open up the American West to further exploration.

Powell was also a pioneer in the field of geology. He developed a new theory of landform evolution that is still widely used today. He was also a strong advocate for conservation, and he helped to establish the U.S. Geological Survey.

Powell was born in 1834 in Mount Morris, New York. He was a bright student, and he attended Illinois College and then Yale University. After graduating from Yale, he taught school for a few years before enlisting in the Union Army during the Civil War. He was wounded in battle and lost his left arm, but he returned to teaching after the war.

In 1867, Powell was appointed to lead an expedition to explore the Colorado River and its canyonlands. The expedition was a success, and Powell returned with a wealth of scientific knowledge about the region. He also made a name for himself as a fearless explorer and a skilled leader.

After the expedition, Powell continued to study the American West. He published several books on geology and geography, and he helped to establish the U.S. Geological Survey. He was also a strong advocate for conservation, and he helped to create the Grand Canyon National Park.

Powell died in 1902 at the age of 68. He was a brilliant scientist, a fearless explorer, and a dedicated public servant. He left a lasting legacy on the American West, and his story is told in this excellent biography by William Morris Davis.