Ferdinand V. Hayden: Entrepreneur of Science - Couverture rigide

Cassidy, James G.

 
9780803215078: Ferdinand V. Hayden: Entrepreneur of Science
Couverture rigide
ISBN 10 : 080321507X ISBN 13 : 9780803215078
Editeur : University of Nebraska Press, 2000

Synopsis

By 1865 the American West had been thoroughly explored, but the knowledge obtained was by no means comprehensive. Though Americans generally agreed that the West was full of opportunities, exactly what those opportunities were and how they might best be exploited was not completely clear. Agriculture as it was then practiced was unsuitable for the rugged mountains and arid plains. Mining success depended upon identifying mineral deposits and developing effective means of extracting them. Science could contribute to answering these questions, but at the time there were no bureaus or agencies that could apply scientific expertise to these challenges.

Ferdinand V. Hayden helped fill this gap beginning with his 1867 survey of Nebraska. The story of this and later Hayden expeditions illustrates the evolving relationship of government patronage and science in Gilded Age America. By sheer force of personality and persistence, Hayden succeeded in selling the federal government something it was not at all sure it wanted: science. In the process he created a secure niche for several branches of science within the federal bureaucracy. He was the one person most responsible for the creation of the United States Geological Survey as a civilian bureau. Most importantly, Hayden's surveys led to the production of detailed topographic maps and inspired--for good or ill--the intensive development of the West's resources.

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À propos de l'auteur

James G. Cassidy is an associate professor of history at St. Anselm College in Manchester, New Hampshire.

Les informations fournies dans la section « A propos du livre » peuvent faire référence à une autre édition de ce titre.

Éditeur
University of Nebraska Press
Date d'édition
2000
Langue
anglais
ISBN 10 
080321507X
ISBN 13 
9780803215078
Reliure
Relié
Nombre de pages
389
Coordonnées du fabricant
non disponible
Personne responsable
non disponible