THE 



JOURNAL OF GEOLOGY 



NOVEMBER-DECEMBER, 1906 



ISRAEL COOK RUSSELL 



1852-1906 



G. K. GILBERT 



The subject of this sketch was known to the world as an investi- 

 gator, explorer, writer, and teacher, in the fields of geology and 

 geography. He was descended from New England stock; his 

 beginnings were simple; his development followed the usual lines 

 of the American professional man; and, apart from his scientific 

 work, the course of his life was not eventful. The end came abruptly, 

 and seemingly at the zenith of his activity. 



He was the son of Barnabas and Louisa Sherman (Cook) Russell, 

 and was born near Garratsville, N. Y,, on December 10, 1852. 

 His home was at Garrattsville till he was twelve years old and was 

 afterward at Plainfield, N. J. His education included preparatory 

 studies at the Rural High School, Clinton, N. Y., and Hasbrook 

 Institute, Jersey City, a college course at the University of the City 

 of New York (B.S. and C.E., 1872), and a postgraduate course at 

 the Columbia School of Mines. 



In 1874 he was a member of the United States Transit of Venus 

 Expedition, visiting New Zealand and Kerguelen Island, and making 

 observations which were the basis of his first pubhcations on natural 

 history. As the arrangements for the expedition made no provision 

 for work in natural history, he sought and obtained an appointment 

 as photographer, qualifying himself therefor by a hurried course 

 of study under Rutherfurd, and incidentally acquiring photographic 



Vol. XIV, No. 8 663 



