Almon Harris Thompson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Almon Harris Thompson
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Thompson in 1902
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| Born | September 24, 1839 |
| Died | July 31, 1906 (aged 66) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Educator, topographer, geologist, explorer, Civil War veteran |
| Spouse(s) | Ellen Powell Thompson |
Almon Harris Thompson (September 24, 1839 – July 31, 1906) was an American mapmaker (called a topographer), geologist, explorer, and teacher. People often called him "The Professor" or "Prof".
Thompson is famous for being the second-in-command of John Wesley Powell's Second Geographical Expedition. This was a big science trip from 1871 to 1875. It explored and mapped the Green and Colorado Rivers in what is now Utah and Arizona. Thompson kept a diary during the expedition, which was published later.
He helped name many places in the Western United States. Thompson also helped start the National Geographic Society.
Early Life and School
Thompson was born on September 24, 1839, in Stoddard, New Hampshire. His family later moved to Worcester, Massachusetts. He loved math and science.
He went to Wheaton College in Illinois from 1857 to 1861. There, he met John Wesley Powell. After college, Thompson married Powell's sister, Ellen Louella (Nellie) Powell, on July 8, 1862. They did not have any children.
Thompson joined the United States Army during the American Civil War in 1864. He was a lieutenant and served for a few months before leaving the army.
After the war, Thompson worked as a school superintendent in Lacon, Illinois (1865–1867) and Bloomington, Illinois (1867–1868). In 1870, he was living in Normal, Illinois, and was listed as a schoolteacher, just like John Wesley Powell.
Exciting Expeditions
In 1867, Thompson's brother-in-law, John Wesley Powell, led a trip to the Rocky Mountains. They collected plants and animals for a science group. Thompson joined as the bug expert.
After Powell's first trip through the canyons of Utah and Arizona in 1869, Thompson and Powell planned a second, bigger expedition. This trip aimed to take photos, make better maps, and study the Colorado River more closely.
The group started from Green River, Wyoming, in May 1871. Thompson was in charge of all the mapping work. He was the main mapmaker and geographer. He also led the team when Powell was away. They mapped much of Utah and northern Arizona while traveling by boat from Green River, Utah, to Lees Ferry.
Thompson also led an important trip over land. In May 1872, he and others left Kanab, Utah. They wanted to find a way to the mouth of the Dirty Devil River, where the expedition had stored a boat. Their journey took them through tough areas like the Waterpocket Fold and across the Henry Mountains.
During this trip, Thompson named the Escalante River. This was the last river in the United States to be officially identified. He was also the first European American to reach the top of the Henry Mountains. He named the highest peak, Mount Ellen, after his wife.
Thompson's wife, Ellen Powell Thompson, sometimes joined him on his mapping trips. This included boating through rapids in southern Utah. In 1872, while in Kanab, she collected and identified many new types of plants.
Under Thompson's guidance, the expedition created the first basic map of southern Utah in 1872–73. In the end, Thompson made maps of Utah, Wyoming, Arizona, and Nevada based on their work.
John Wesley Powell praised Thompson's work. He said Thompson was in charge of the mapping and that the final maps showed his great skill.
In 1875, Thompson went back to Utah with another explorer, Frederick Dellenbaugh. They continued to study and map the land. After their work ended in 1878, Thompson tried new things. He even worked as a wool grower in Kansas for a while.
Working for the U.S. Government
In the early 1880s, Thompson started working for the United States Geological Survey (USGS). His brother-in-law, John Wesley Powell, was the new director. Thompson and Ellen moved to Washington, D.C..
Thompson became the chief geographer for the USGS. He helped create many maps, including maps of the Green River. He also worked on projects in California, Colorado, Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming.
Thompson even invented a special tool for surveying. This tool helped measure land that could be used for irrigation (watering crops). He also wrote a chapter in one of Powell's reports about irrigable lands in Utah.
Starting the National Geographic Society
Thompson was part of a group of explorers, scientists, and business people in Washington, D.C.. They wanted to create a society focused on geography.
On January 13, 1888, Thompson called a meeting to order. He suggested they form the society. Within two weeks, Thompson and others created the plan for the National Geographic Society. Thompson was one of the first vice-presidents and helped the society grow.
Later Years
Thompson continued to work at the United States Geological Survey until he passed away on July 31, 1906. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Naming Places
Thompson is famous for naming many places during his work with John Wesley Powell and the USGS. He named:
- The Waterpocket Fold (now in Capitol Reef National Park)
- The Aquarius Plateau
- The Markagunt Plateau
- Mount Ellen
- Boulder Mountain
- Canaan Mountain
- The Escalante River
- The town of Escalante
Thompson believed that geographic names should be short, sound nice, be easy to say, and have a meaning that helps people remember them. He used a mix of Piute terms (like Kaibab), Mormon pioneer terms (like Pipe Springs), and descriptive words (like Thousand Lakes Mountain).
Several places were named in honor of Almon H. Thompson, including Thompson Mesa in the Henry Mountains, Thompson Point in the Grand Canyon, and Mount Thompson in the Sierra Nevada.
Legacy
Even though Thompson was very important, his achievements are sometimes forgotten in history books. Frederick Dellenbaugh, who was on the Second Expedition with Thompson, said that Thompson was largely responsible for the "scientific and practical success of the second expedition."
Herbert Gregory, who wrote an introduction to Thompson's diaries, said that Thompson had a rare mix of qualities that made him a successful explorer. He was disciplined, kind to his team, and interested in the local people he met.
Dellenbaugh also said that Thompson's "foresight, good judgment, ability to plan, courage, and wide knowledge" were key to the expedition's success. He also helped with the scientific work carried out by the U.S. Geological Survey for many years.
Gallery
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Members of Powell's Second Expedition
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Powell Party, 1871
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Almon Harris Thompson and his horse, Ute in 1872
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Almon Harris Thompson at the Grand Canyon in 1872
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Almon Harris Thompson and his horse, Ute in 1872
