Description
A collection of professional and
personal material related to Clarence King, American geologist, mining engineer, and
writer.
Background
Clarence Rivers King (1842-1901) was an American geologist, mining engineer, and writer. He
graduated from Yale Scientific School in 1862, then journeyed West and joined the California
Geological Survey as a volunteer. From 1867 to 1877, King directed the geological and
scientific survey of the Fortieth Parallel from eastern Colorado to the California border.
The next year he was made head of the newly established United States Geological Survey, a
position he held until entering private practice as a mining engineer in 1881 but the mining
ventures he was involved in were not successful. King did publish, as author or editor, many
publications based upon his geological work, including: Mountaineering in the Sierra Nevada
(1872) and the multi-volume Report of the Geological Exploration of the Fortieth Parallel.
United States Government Printing Office (1870–1878). King died of tuberculosis on December
24, 1901 in Phoenix, Arizona, and was buried in Newport, Rhode Island.
Extent
6.43 Linear Feet
(7 boxes, 9 volumes, 1 expansion folder, 1 envelope)
Restrictions
The Huntington Library does not require that researchers request permission to quote from
or publish images of this material, nor does it charge fees for such activities. The
responsibility for identifying the copyright holder, if there is one, and obtaining
necessary permissions rests with the researcher.
Availability
Open for use by qualified researchers and by appointment. Please contact Reader Services at
the Huntington Library for more information.