George Wheeler

In 1869 General Edward O. Ord sent him on a reconnaissance mission through eastern Nevada. In 1872, the US Congress authorized an ambitious plan to map the portion of the United States west of the 100th meridian at a scale of 8 miles to the inch. This plan necessitated what became known as the Wheeler Survey. The project lasted until 1879, when the Wheeler, King, and Powell Surveys were terminated and their combined work was reorganized as the United States Geological Survey. Wheeler was promoted to captain in 1879. In 1881 he represented the United States at the Third International Geographical Congress and Exhibition in Venice, Italy. He entered semi-retirement in 1883 but continued to write scientific reports until his full retirement from the army in 1888 at the rank of major. He died in New York City in 1905. Many places are named for George Wheeler, including Wheeler Peak in Nevada (within Great Basin National Park), Wheeler Peak in New Mexico (the state high point), and the scenic Wheeler Geologic Area in southern Colorado.

George Wheeler studied at United States Military Academy. The recorded working language is English. The field of work recorded is exploration. Employment is recorded with United States Geological Survey. Work by George Wheeler is recorded in the collections of J. Paul Getty Museum.

• Name — George Wheeler • Birth Name — George Montague Wheeler • Born — 9 October 1842 • Birthplace — Hopkinton, Massachusetts, US • Died — 3 May 1905 • Place of death — New York City, New York, US • Fields — explorer and cartographer • Workplaces — United States Geological Survey • Education — West Point • Known for — Exploration of the American West