James William Abert facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James William Abert
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| Born | November 18, 1820 Mount Holly Township, New Jersey |
| Died | August 10, 1897 (aged 76) Newport, Kentucky |
| Buried |
Evergreen Cemetery (Southgate, Kentucky)
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1842–1864 |
| Rank | Major Brevet Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit | Corps of Topographical Engineers |
James William Abert (born November 18, 1820 – died August 10, 1897) was an American soldier, explorer, and artist. He was also a bird collector! He is known for mapping parts of the American West and for his detailed drawings of these areas.
Contents
Early Life and Education
James William Abert was born in Mount Holly Township, New Jersey. His father, John James Abert, was also a famous engineer. James went to the West Point military school. He graduated from West Point in 1842.
Military Career and Western Expeditions
After graduating, Abert joined the Corps of Topographical Engineers in 1843. This was a special army group that mapped out new lands. His own father was in charge of this group!
Exploring the American West
Abert joined several trips to explore the western parts of America. He helped John C. Frémont on one of his big expeditions. Abert was very talented at drawing. He used his artistic skills to create sketches for the reports about these expeditions. These drawings helped people back east understand what the West was like.
Mapping the Canadian River
Later, Abert was put in charge of a team to map the Canadian River. This river flows through several states, including New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma. Mapping it was an important job for understanding the land.
Service During the Mexican-American War
In 1846, Abert was sent west to join General Kearney's army. They were fighting in the war against Mexico. After his service there, he returned to Fort Leavenworth the next year.
Discovering a New Bird Species
During his time exploring the West, Abert discovered a new type of bird. This bird was later named the Abert's towhee in his honor. It's a small bird found in the southwestern United States.
American Civil War Service
During the American Civil War, Abert continued to serve in the army. He worked for several important generals. He was hurt during the Maryland Campaign, a series of battles in 1862. Abert retired from the Army in June 1864.
Life After the Army
After the Civil War ended, James Abert started a new career. He became a professor at the University of Missouri. There, he taught English literature, math, and drawing. His original watercolor paintings are now owned by private collectors.
