THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE IDEA OF GLACIAL 
EROSION IN AMERICA. 
FRANK CARNEY. 
1899 A. P. Brigham 
G. K. Gilbert 
1900 W. M. Davis 
1904 G. K. Gilbert 
1905 H. L. Fairchild 
1906 R. S. Tarr 
W. M. Davis 
1907 R. S. Tarr 
1908 R.S.Tarr 
Conclusion 
INTRODUCTION. 
In this paper I give some brief citations, chronologically arranged, 
from such- contributions of American students as represent a field 
study of glacial erosion, particularly in valleys; no attempt is 
made to trace the development of the cirque idea, or that of rock 
basins in mountainous areas. The literature contains numerous 
references, both incidental and extended, to the tendency of glacier 
ice to carve valleys; but until within the last decade these were 
disconnected observations representing, with few exceptions, 
local field experience if any at all, and in no individual case sup- 
plying data that could be correlated into convincing proof. Pro- 
fessor Davis summarized much of this literature up to 1882, giv- 
ing many citations to show the development of the subject.^ 
What glacier ice, of either the Alpine or continental types, may 
have done in altering the surface it moved over has long been a 
matter of interest, sometimes disputatious interest; but the litera- 
^ W. M. Davis, “Glacial Erosion,” Proceedings of the Boston Society of Natural 
History^ vol. xxii, pp. 19-58, 1882. In the preceding volume of the Proceedings^ 
PP- 336-45, Professor Davis gives a historical review of “The theory of the glacial 
origin of lakes.” In vol. xxix, 1900, pp. 310-20, he reviews the “Previous writings 
on hanging valleys.” 
Introduction 
1873 J. Leconte 
1878 C. King 
1882 W. M. Davis 
1883 T. C. Chamberlin 
1892 D. F. Lincoln 
1893 A. P. Brigham 
1894 R. S. Tarr 
W. J.M’Gee 
1898 H. Gannett 
