Henry Gannett - Engineers, Facts and Childhood

Henry Gannett's Personal Details

Henry Gannett was an American geographer often called "the Father of American map-making." This biography of Henry Gannett provides detailed information about his childhood, life, achievements, works & timeline.

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Who is Henry Gannett?

Henry Gannett was an American geographer often called "the Father of American map-making." One of the founding members of the National Geographic Society, he served as its first secretary, and later as its president. Credited to have systematized the science of geography in its practical application, he was also the chief geographer for the United States Census, 1890 and United States Census, 1900. Born in Maine, he was of Anglo-Saxon ancestry with an inherent love for adventure and exploration. As a young man, he earned his degree as a mining engineer at the Hooper Mining School. Soon after, he began his career as a geographer with the Ferdinand V. Hayden expedition to the Yellowstone region in 1871. This marked his entry into topographic mapping and he mapped the western portion of the Hayden's division until 1879. The expedition was full of exciting and hazardous experiences which the adventurous young man enjoyed thoroughly. His accurately drawn maps and impeccable reports brought him considerable attention. He eventually lobbied for centralizing the mapping functions of the entire nation into one government agency, and after the United States Geological Survey was officially formed, he was named geographer of the United States Census, 1880. One of his most significant contributions is the publication ‘Manual of Topographic Methods’, which guided the mapping of the United States for decades.

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Henry Gannett biography timelines

• // 24th Aug 1846
  Henry Gannett was born in Maine on August 24, 1846. His parents, Michael Farley and Hannah Church Gannett, were of rugged Anglo-Saxon stock.
• // 1869 To 1870
  He studied at the Lawrence Scientific School of Harvard and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree (equivalent to the present degree of civil engineer) in 1869. He proceeded to the Hooper Mining School and earned his degree as a mining engineer in 1870.
• // 1871
  After spending a brief period as an assistant in the Harvard Observatory, Henry Gannett accompanied Professor Pickering to Spain in 1871 to observe the total eclipse of the sun in that year.
• // 1871
  He was appointed as an astronomer in Captain C. F. Hall's North Polar Expedition of 1871. Simultaneously, he was invited to join the United States Geological and Geographical Survey of the Territories under Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden. He chose to go with Hayden.
• // 1872
  In 1872, while climbing the unnamed highest mountain in the Gallatin Mountains, he and his party experienced electric shocks following a lightning event near the summit. The mountain was thus named Electric Peak.
• // 24th Nov 1874
  He married Mary E. Chase on November 24, 1874.
• // 1879
  Appointed topographer for the western division of the Hayden Survey, he occupied himself in mapping the division until 1879. His job was a hazardous one and he faced several difficult situations over the years.
• // 1879
  In 1879, Gannett, along with several others lobbied for centralizing the mapping functions of the nation into one government agency. At that time, individual mapmakers and agencies had to compete for money from Congress for funds for projects. Following this, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) came into existence and the Hayden Survey was merged with the newly created agency.
• // 1880 To 1882
  He was appointed as geographer of the United States Census, 1880, in the new organization under its first director Clarence King. He possessed impeccable skills as a geographer and laid out 2,000 enumeration districts with great precision. This work was completed in 1882, marking the beginning of true topographical work in the United States.
• // 1884 To 1885
  A prolific writer, he had over 50 publications to his credit, many of them in the form of Bulletins for the Geological Survey. Some of his initial publications were ‘A Dictionary of Altitudes in the United States’ (1884) which included all of the known elevations of summits in the United States and ‘Boundaries of the United States and of the Several States and Territories, with a Historical Sketch of the Territorial Changes’ (1885).
• // 1888
  In 1888, he became one the founding members of the National Geographic Society, also serving as its secretary. He remained deeply involved with the organization for the rest of his life.
• // 1893
  In 1893, he published the ‘Manual of Topographic Methods’, which guided the mapping of the United States for decades. Gannet is credited to have established the tradition of cartographic excellence that still embodies the USGS.
• // 1896
  He was adept at compiling facts and figures into an organized format, a skill that earned him considerable admiration from his superiors. He was promoted to Chief Geographer for the Geological Society by John Wesley Powell, a position he held till 1896.
• // 1910 To 1914
  Over the years, he served as National Geographic Society’s treasurer, vice-president, and finally president from 1910 till his death in 1914. He was also a member of the Washington Academy of Sciences until his death.
• // 5th Nov 1914
  He died on November 5, 1914, at the age of 68.

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Henry Gannett's FAQ

• What is Henry Gannett birthday?

  Henry Gannett was born at 1846-08-24

• When was Henry Gannett died?

  Henry Gannett was died at 1914-11-05

• Which age was Henry Gannett died?

  Henry Gannett was died at age 68

• Where is Henry Gannett's birth place?

  Henry Gannett was born in Bath, Maine, United States

• What is Henry Gannett nationalities?

  Henry Gannett's nationalities is American

• What is Henry Gannett's sun sign?

  Henry Gannett is Virgo

• How famous is Henry Gannett?

  Henry Gannett is famouse as Geographers, Explorers