Josiah Whitney

Josiah Dwight Whitney (November 23,1819 – August 15,1896) was a professor of geology at Harvard University (from 1865), and was chief of the California Geological Survey (1860-1874).

Related Topics:
November 23 - 1819 - August 15 - 1896 - Geology - Harvard University - 1865 - California Geological Survey - 1860 - 1874

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While chief of the Survey, he organized a eminent team of geologists and geographers to survey the entire state of California, including the first scientific survey of the Sierra Nevada. Whitney left the fieldwork to his team, while publishing their results as the Geological Survey of California. He also published The Yosemite Book, which advocated protecting Yosemite Valley as a national park.

Related Topics:
Geologist - Geographer - California - Sierra Nevada - Yosemite Valley

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Whitney is probably best known for his scientific feud with John Muir. Whitney concluded that Yosemite Valley was a graben, a downdropped block of land. In 1871, Muir concluded (from his fieldwork) that it was a glacial valley. Muir was correct. Whitney mocked Muir and tried to suppress any evidence of glaciation in Yosemite. Whitney never admitted that he was wrong.

Related Topics:
John Muir - Yosemite Valley - Graben - 1871 - Glacial valley

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Mount Whitney, the highest point in the continental United States, and the first confirmed glacier in the United States, on Mount Shasta, were both named after him by members of the Survey.

Related Topics:
Mount Whitney - Continental United States - First confirmed glacier - Mount Shasta

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He was the brother of grammarian and lexicographer William Dwight Whitney.

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