George Wheeler (explorer)

George Montague Wheeler ( born October 9, 1842 in Grafton ( Massachusetts); † May 3, 1905 in New York City ) was an American officer and explorer.

George M. Wheeler attended from 1861 to 1866 the Military Academy at West Point, and was then a lieutenant of the United States Army Corps of Engineers from 1871 to 1879 director of two equipped by the U.S. War Department expeditions to explore the territories west of the 100th degree of longitude in the territory of the Rocky Mountains, for later inclusion in the United States. Throughout ² were taken by him and his scientific companions over 500,000 km. This expedition took him through California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, Montana, Nebraska, and New Mexico. The results were for the geography as for different branches of natural science is of great importance and have been published in:

  • Report upon the geographical and geological explorations of the 100th meridian in California, Nevada, Nebraska, Utah, Arizona, Colorado, New Mexico, Wyoming and Montana
  • Topographical Atlas

Wheeler Peak (New Mexico), the highest mountain of New Mexico, or Wheeler Peak (Nevada ) and other places were named after him. Also in botany carry numerous plants the Latin named after him names such as Chaetadelpha wheeleri, Chorizanthe wheeleri, Madia elegans ssp. wheeleri, and Potentilla wheeleri.

George M. Wheeler was promoted to captain in 1879 and retired in June, 1888.

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