Samuel Gannett
Born(1862-02-10)February 10, 1862
Augusta, Maine
DiedAugust 5, 1939(1939-08-05) (aged 77)
Washington, D.C.
EducationBowdoin College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Occupation(s)geographer, topographer, cartographer
EmployerU.S. Geological Survey
Known forco-founding the National Geographic Society
RelativesHenry Gannett (cousin)

Samuel Stinson Gannett (February 10, 1861 – August 5, 1939) was an American geographer, topographer, and cartographer.[1] He was born on February 10, 1861, in Augusta, Maine, cousin of Henry Gannett. He attended Bowdoin College,[2] and then MIT.

Work for US Geological Survey

In 1882 he moved to Washington, D.C. to work in the US Geological Survey, and in 1888 co-founded the National Geographic Society. His two most influential surveys were in the 20th century; the first in 1912 to determine Maryland's border with West Virginia, and the second in 1927 on the Red River to determine the border between Texas and Oklahoma. Both involved Supreme Court decisions. He died aged 77 in Sibley Hospital on August 5, 1939.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Hunter, Kathy. "National Geographic Founder Helped Settle Disputes Over States' Boundaries". National Geographic. Archived from the original on January 2, 2015. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
  2. ^ Cook, Doug. "National Geographic Co-founder Gannett Helped Settle State Boundary Disputes". Bowdoin College. Archived from the original on 18 January 2021. Retrieved 10 February 2017.
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