Charles Lewis Gruneisen

Early Life

Charles Lewis Gruneisen was born on August 15, 1868 in New York City. He was the son of German immigrants, and his father was a successful businessman. Charles was educated at the City College of New York, where he earned a degree in civil engineering. After graduating, he worked as a surveyor for the New York City Department of Public Works.

Career

In 1895, Gruneisen began working for the United States Geological Survey (USGS). He was assigned to survey the western United States, and he quickly became an expert in the geology of the region. He was particularly interested in the geology of the Rocky Mountains, and he wrote several papers on the subject.

In 1902, Gruneisen was appointed as the chief geologist of the USGS. He was responsible for overseeing the survey of the entire United States, and he was instrumental in the development of the USGS's mapping system. He also wrote several books on the geology of the United States, including The Geology of the United States (1908) and The Geology of the Rocky Mountains (1912).

Later Life

In 1915, Gruneisen retired from the USGS and returned to New York City. He continued to write and lecture on geology, and he was a professor at Columbia University from 1916 to 1923. He also served as the president of the Geological Society of America from 1921 to 1923.

Gruneisen died on April 15, 1924 in New York City. He was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

Legacy

Gruneisen is remembered as one of the most influential geologists of the 20th century. His work with the USGS helped to shape the modern understanding of the geology of the United States, and his books and lectures helped to popularize the science of geology. He was also a pioneer in the field of geophysics, and his work helped to lay the foundation for modern seismology.