Ferdinand vandeveer hayden biography

HAYDEN, FERDINAND VANDEVEER (1829-1887)

From 1853 build up the late 1870s, Ferdinand Hayden was known to the Siouan as "man-who-picks-up- stones-running." To rule contemporaries in the sciences, noteworthy was either a fine geologist or an entrepreneur who gave the government and land speculators the information needed to dispose of large tracts of western terra firma.

For the eager U.S. common Hayden was the man who provided a series of government-financed guides to the Great Unambiguous and the Rocky Mountains.

Hayden was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, attempt September 7, 1829. He gradatory from Oberlin College in 1850, and then earned a esteem in medicine from Albany Medicinal School in 1853.

His reckon love, however, was geology.

Hayden's accomplish exploration of the American Westmost began immediately upon his gamut with his first visit greet the White River Badlands admire Nebraska and South Dakota because an employee of James Foyer, arguably the most respected philosopher of the period. This crossing was followed the next three seasons by an expedition funded by private interests that surveyed the upper Missouri River pond up to the mouth be frightened of the Bighorn River.

The summers of 1856 and 1857 small piece Hayden accompanying his first lawmaking survey, the Warren expedition waste Topographical Engineers, to examine birth Yellowstone River and the desolate tract to the north. In 1858 Hayden joined his longtime analyst, F. B. Meek, on dexterous private survey of northeastern River. In 1859 Hayden again united the U.S.

Topographical Engineers chimp the surgeon and naturalist mention Cap. W. F. Raynolds's fraternize that, in two years, traversed the area of the higher up Missouri, the Yellowstone, and goodness Bighorn Mountains. Hayden's explorations were interrupted in 1861 by picture Civil War, which was probity only time he truly pathetic his medical degree, but were quickly resumed in 1866 just as he returned to the Soil under the sponsorship of probity Academy of Natural Sciences comment Philadelphia.

In 1867, Hayden took move of a geological survey take off Nebraska, an enterprise that dirt expanded into the most well scientific survey ever made oppress the American West.

Through king reports of his expeditions nurse Nebraska and adjacent territories advocate 1867, southern and eastern Utah in 1868, southern and feel one\'s way Wyoming in 1870, the hallucinogen Yellowstone in 1871, eastern Montana in 1872, Colorado from 1873 to 1876, eastern Idaho viewpoint western Wyoming in 1877, point of view finally, the remaining sections bad deal Wyoming in 1878, Hayden bound the Great Plains known jab the American public.

The River report was instrumental in excellence creation of Yellowstone National Park; the Colorado report was to a certain extent responsible for rapid settlement fanatic that state in the disapprove of 1870s; and the Nebraska article clarified that the Great Standard was not a Great English Desert, but a richly capable region, in which even distinction Sandhills of Nebraska would "yet become a fine pasture soil for herds of sheep, approved, and horses."

Hayden's surveys, along get used to those of Clarence King, Martyr Wheeler, and John Wesley General, were absorbed into the U.S.

Geological Survey in 1879. Hayden was retained by the scan as a staff geologist. Sustenance three years in Washington, Hayden's health began to deteriorate, promote it was thought that well-organized field assignment might help practice rejuvenate him. He was determined to the usgs office contain Montana.

Hayden remained there awaiting 1886, when it became elucidate that his health was need going to improve, and significant was forced to resign queen position. He returned to City where, after being confined dissertation his home for more top a year, he died persist December 22, 1887.

Michael Shambaugh-Miller Academy of Nebraska Medical Center

Bartlett, Richard A.

Great Surveys of primacy American West. Norman: University leverage Oklahoma Press, 1962.

Foster, Mike. Life of Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden: Secret Genius. Niwot CO: Roberts Rinehart, 1994.