Births on March 24

John Wesley Powell

Born on March 24, 1834

John Wesley Powell, American soldier, geologist, and explorer (d. 1902)

John Wesley Powell (March 24, 1834 – September 23, 1902) was an American geologist, U.S. Army soldier, explorer of the American West, professor at Illinois Wesleyan University, and director of major scientific and cultural institutions. He is famous for his 1869 geographic expedition, a three-month river trip down the Green and Colorado rivers, including the first official U.S. government-sponsored passage through the Grand Canyon.

Powell who was appointed by Republican President James A. Garfield 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.

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John Wesley Powell

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Events on 1834

29 Apr

Second voyage of HMS Beagle
Charles Darwin during the second survey voyage of HMS Beagle, ascended the Bell mountain, Cerro La Campana on 17 August 1834, his visit being commemorated by a memorial plaque.[1]
1 Aug

Slavery Abolition Act 1833
Slavery is abolished in the British Empire as the Slavery Abolition Act 1833 comes into force.
16 Oct

Burning of Parliament
Much of the ancient structure of the Palace of Westminster in London burns to the ground.
1 Dec

Slavery Abolition Act 1833
Slavery is abolished in the Cape Colony in accordance with the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.