Fox, William F. (sold)

William F. Fox (January 11, 1840 - June 16, 1909) was an American engineer, historian, and administrator. He became the Superintendent of Forests at the Adirondack Park in New York State. Fox was born in Ballston Spa, New York to a family in the lumber trade, and graduated Union College in 1860, having studied to become an engineer. Soon enough, any career plans were put on hold with the onset of the American Civil War: He joined the 107th New York Volunteers and fought in the War, receiving a commission and advancing in rank as Captain, Major, and Lieutenant Colonel. He would commit his experiences to paper, contributing to postwar efforts to enumerate the horrors of the conflict: His 'Chances of Being Hit in Battle' was published by Century Magazine in 1888, and the following year he published 'Regimental Losses in the American Civil War.' He wrote a three volume history of the action of New York soldiers at the battle of Gettysburg as well as histories of several Union generals. In addition to his writing, Fox would continue in his family's lumber business; he travelled abroad to study modern methods in the trade, and he worked as a forester on behalf of the Blossburg Coal, Mining and Railroad Company in Pennsylvania. In 1885 he became assistant secretary to the New York State Forest Commission, served as Assistant Forest Warden from 1888 to 1891, and became the first Superintendent of Forests upon the creation of the Adirondack Park in 1892. His work as Superintendent provided the basis for the founding of the New York State College of Forestry at Cornell.