Abert, John James
John James Abert (September 17, 1788 - January 27, 1863) was an American soldier and engineer. For most of his career he was head of the United States' Corps of Topographical Engineers, initially an arm of the Corps of Engineers. In this role he was instrumental in organizing the mapping of the growing nation. He was born in Shepherdstown, Virginia; His father, John Abert, was reputed to have been a soldier in the company of the comte de Rochambeau, arriving to fight on behalf of the Americans in 1780. Despite having graduated from West Point, he initially intended to practice law. The war of 1812 saw him joining the D.C. Militia, however, and by 1814 he had enlisted as a topographical engineer. His bravery at the Battle of Bladensburg led to his brevetting to the rank of Major. In 1838 he was promoted to Colonel and appointed to lead the Corps of Topographical Engineers, having persuaded Congress to establish a separate Topographical Corps, distinct from the Corps of Engineers. This was primarily tasked with the mapping of the Transmississippi West. He remained at the head of the Corps for 23 years; Recognition for his labors led to his election as member of the American Philosophical Society and an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. He retired in 1861 and died in 1863 in Washington, D.C.
'One of the greatest contributions ever made to American geography' - G. K. Warren
Hydrological Basin of the Upper Mississippi River From Astronomical and Barometrical Observations, Surveys, and Information.
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This is Joseph N. Nicollet's foundational 1843 map of the Upper Mississippi River Basin, which far surpassed all earlier maps of the area. It was the culmination of Nicollet's life's work and four surveying expeditions, which also helped launch the careers of John C. Frémont and William H. Emory, two of the greatest American explorers of the 19th century. (more details)