John Wesley Powell
1834–1902 · American (New York) · Gilded Age
Known for: Led the first descent of the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon with one arm—then warned America about Western water scarcity (nobody listened)
Powell was a one-armed Civil War veteran who led ten men in four wooden boats down the Colorado River through unknown canyons. The three-month expedition nearly ended in disaster—one boat destroyed, three men deserted and were killed, food ran out.
He became director of the US Geological Survey and warned—correctly—that the arid West could not support unlimited settlement. He was ignored. Today, as the West faces catastrophic water shortages, Powell looks more prophetic than ever.
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