Josiah Dwight Whitney was born on November 23, 1819. Josiah was a fifth great grandson of John Whitney, who was my tenth great grandfather. That makes Josiah my sixth cousin five times removed.
But, before we get to know Josiah better, let’s address him as his peers did. J.D. Whitney has quite a story to tell.
J.D. was one of six children born to Josiah Dwight Whitney, and Sarah Williston—four of whom survived to adulthood. When J.D. was seven years old, his next youngest brother, William Dwight, died as an infant. His youngest sister, Margaretta, died at the age of seven, when J.D. was just ten years old. J.D. was close in age and association with his four surviving brothers during the remainder of their lives. William Dwight, who was named in honor of his deceased brother, as well as Henry would pursue work in academia in their careers.
Josiah was well educated in language, geology, mineralogy, and chemistry. In 1839, at the age of 20, he was graduated from Yale College. Josiah traveled broadly. He studied with prominent scientists in Europe. Whitney shared his explorations in his writings.
Josiah worked with Joseph Wells Foster as U.S. Geologists for the Lake Superior District. As such, the men co-authored, “Report on the Geology and Topography of a Portion of the Lake Superior Land District in the State of Michigan: The iron region, together with the general geology,” which was published in 1851. This report was prepared for the first session of the 31st Congress. In this report, Whitney and Foster studied the iron, and copper deposits in Lake Superior.
Josiah was a prolific surveyor in the United States. He was a man, whose life was grounded in New Hampshire, Iowa, and California, most notably.
In 1855, Whitney became the Iowa State Chemist. His service came nine years after Iowa was admitted to the Union. He taught at the University during this time. He surveyed the State of Iowa.
In 1860, Josiah became the state geologist for the State of California. Ten years after the state was admitted to the Union, he set out to survey the entire state. During the 14 years he served in this position, he measured the highest peak in the continental United States, which was named in his honor—Mount Whitney. This peak measures 14,494 feet. Mount Whitney is located within the Sierra Nevada range within Sequoia National Park in California.
Beginning in 1865, he joined his brother, William Dwight Whitney, at Harvard College. Josiah became a professor of geology and metallurgy at Harvard. Josiah Dwight Whitney is credited with founding a school of mines at Harvard College. His surveying of California was made possible by Harvard’s granting him an indefinite leave of absence to pursue such work.
Josiah sparred with John Muir. Whitney believed that Yosemite was a graben—the German word for ditch, a trough between two parallel faults. Muir’s fieldwork led him to conclude that Yosemite was a glacial valley. Muir was proven correct in his conclusions. The two men did not have good relations. Supposedly, Muir mocked him. Whitney did not back down. The sense I got was that Muir was more dedicated to the fieldwork necessary to draw sound conclusions than was Whitney. Mount Whitney was named after J.D., however, it was his associates who did the precise measurements of the highest elevation in the continental United States..
Whitney’s proclivity for writing continued. In his Yosemite Book, Whitney advocated for the establishment of Yosemite as a national park.
J.D. Whitney’s name is among 150 scientists from all disciples, who were designated as founders of the National Academies of Sciences. On March 3, 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Articles of Incorporation, which created the organization.
In 1882, Whitney wrote, Climatic Changes of Later Geological Times to share his geological explorations in western United States.
In 1889, J.D. wrote The United States: Facts and Figures Illustrating the Physical Geography of the Country and Its Material Resources, which was later synthesized for publication in the Encyclopedia Britannica.
J.D. Whitney’s assertions did not withstand the test of time. Some of his assertions were challenged. Other conclusions were overturned by his peers. J.D. Whitney helped to establish the foundation from which others, who had greater integrity, to devote their energies to scientific accuracy, and precision.
Josiah Dwight Whitney died on August 18, 1896 at the age of 76. J.D. married Louisa Howe Goddard, a divorcee. “Peasy,” who widowed J.D. in 1882, at the age of 63.
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