Major John Wesley Powell

Major John Wesley Powell is the author of the book and the leader of the 1869 Colorado River Exploring Expedition. These expeditions were the last of the great exploring expeditions conducted in the United States. These expeditions differed from others in that they were not sponsored by any government and was not politically motivated in any way. Its purpose was not to expand boundaries or sovereignty. It received no government funding. Powell found most of the explorations by his own finances along with money from the Illinois Natural History Society and the Illinois Industrial University. He did have permission from the Secretary of War and Provisions for ten men from western army posts.

Powell was a Civil War veteran who had one arm, as a result of an injury from the war. He worked as a geology professor at Illinois Wesleyan College in Bloomington, Illinois. He...