ASCE Seattle Section September Meeting
This presentation is a brief introduction to the relatively unknown life and work of David Thompson (1770-1857), a Welsh-born surveyor, who spent all of his adult life in Canada in the fur trade, exploring, surveying and mapping 1.7 million square miles of what is now central and western Canada and the northern tier of western U.S. States, earning him the honor of being called “The greatest land geographer to have lived”. Described, will be his life, from to early childhood in London, lifelong marriage to his Cree wife, Charlotte, his final years in Montreal and his unprecedented feats of surveying and mapping and the contributions of his extensive writings of his life in the North American interior.
Image above: C. W. Jeffreys: “David Thompson Taking an Observation”. (Library & Archives Canada, Acc. No. 1972-26-1406)
David R. Gilbert, Retired PE, Member ASCE and SME is a 1960 Mining Engineering graduate of the Colorado Schools of Mines, who spent an international career, mostly with the Bechtel Corporation, constructing mining and oilfield facilities, oil refineries and petrochemical plants. In retirement he spent 13 years with the ASCE History and Heritage Committee and is now into his fourth year as a corresponding member. He resides with his Australian wife, Lyn in Sequim, WA.
5:30 Welcome
5:35 Announcements
5:40 Speaker Introduction
5:45 Presentation
6:25 Open Discussion and Networking
6:50 Closing
7:00 Adjourn
This is an online event, register for Zoom link.