John Wesley Powell

This bas relief portrait of John Wesley Powell by Leila Usher hangs on the headstone of Powell’s grave in Arlington National Cemetery.

“John Wesley ‘Wes’ Powell (March 24, 1834 – September 23, 1902) was a U.S. soldier, geologist, explorer of the American West, professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and director of major scientific and cultural institutions. He is famous for the 1869 Powell Geographic Expedition, a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers, including the first known passage by persons of European descent through the Grand Canyon.

Powell served as second director of the U.S. Geological Survey (1881–1894) and proposed, for development of the arid West, policies that were prescient for his accurate evaluation of conditions. He became the first director of the Bureau of Ethnology at the Smithsonian Institution during his service as director of the U.S. Geological Survey, where he supported linguistic and sociological research and publications.” – Wikipedia

 1834-1902

 Liela Ushser Sc-

This photo which appeared in a 1902 Smithsonian Report is available at the Library of Congress.It closely resembles Usher's image of Powell and may be its source.

1834-1902

John Wesley

Powell

Soldier

Explorer Scientist

Emma Dean Powell

1855-1924

Second Lieutenant 20th, Illinois

Infantry June 13, 1861

December 11, 1861.

Major, May 29, 1864

Honorably Discharged January 4, 1865