Clarence King

Biography

Clarence King rose from a modest background to become one of the most influential geologists of the nineteenth century, guiding the U.S. Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel and laying the groundwork for modern survey science. He was appointed as the first director of the United States Geological Survey, shaping federal efforts to understand and catalog the nation’s mineral and geological wealth.

King’s keen intellect and tireless field work led to the publication of authoritative reports that brought scientific rigor to western exploration, and his friendships with leading artists and writers reflected his belief in the civilizing power of knowledge. He retired with the quiet dignity of a man who had helped define a profession and a nation’s relationship to its land.