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John Wesley Powell Quotes

Soldier

John Wesley Powell was an American explorer, geographer, military commander, and writer. He is best known for his exploration of the Colorado River, which not only opened up waterways in the American Southwest but also revealed the region's natural and cultural landscapes. Powell's contributions in military and geography have made him an important figure in American history.

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All Canyons Grand Canyon Rivers Conjecture Distance Rocks Running Art Attempting Cliffs

Famous John Wesley Powell Quotes

“The landscape everywhere, away from the river, is of rock - cliffs of rock; plateaus of rock; terraces of rock; crags of rock - ten thousand strangely carved forms.”

Form Rocks Thousand Ten Rivers Landscape Cliffs Terrace Plateaus

Book:Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries: Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, Under the Direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

Source: Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries: Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, Under the Direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution

“We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore.”

Running Rivers Distance Conjecture

Book:The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons

Source: The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons

“We have an unknown distance yet to run, an unknown river to explore. What falls there are, we know not; what rocks beset the channel, we know not; what walls ride over the river, we know not. Ah, well! we may conjecture many things.”

Knows Wells May Running Fall Rocks Wall Rivers Distance Cowboy Conjecture

Book:The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons

Source: The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its Canyons

“The wonders of the Grand Canyon cannot be adequately represented in symbols of speech, nor by speech itself. The resources of the graphic art are taxed beyond their powers in attempting to portray its features. Language and illustration combined must fail.”

Art Language Wonder Failing Speech Resources Symbols Features Attempting Graphic Illustration Canyons Grand Canyon Graphic Art

Book:Canyons of the Colorado

Source: Canyons of the Colorado

“You cannot see the Grand Canyon in one view, as if it were a changeless spectacle from which a curtain might be lifted, but to see it you have to toil from month to month through its labyrinths.”

Ifs Might Views Months Toil Curtains Labyrinth Canyons Grand Canyon

Book:Canyons of the Colorado

Source: Canyons of the Colorado

“The elements that unite to make the Grand Canyon the most sublime spectacle in nature are multifarious and exceedingly diverse.”

Elements Diverse Sublime Canyons Grand Canyon

Book:Canyons of the Colorado

Source: Canyons of the Colorado

About the Author

Born: March 24, 1834
Died: September 23, 1902
Known for: Soldier
Quotes: 6

Books & Sources

Canyons of the ColoradoRelated source material

The Exploration of the Colorado River and Its CanyonsRelated source material

Exploration of the Colorado River of the West and Its Tributaries: Explored in 1869, 1870, 1871, and 1872, Under the Direction of the Secretary of the Smithsonian InstitutionRelated source material

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