MACLURE, WILLIAM

born Oct. 27, 1763, Ayr, Ayrshire, Scot. died March 23, 1840, San Angel, Mex. Scottish-born American geologist who is known for his geological mapthe first true geological map of any part of North America and one of the earliest such maps compiled. Maclure traveled to New York City in 1782 and then returned to London as a partner in an importexport firm. After amassing a considerable fortune, he returned to the United States in 1796 and became a naturalized citizen. In 1803 he went back to Europe and traveled throughout the Continent, collecting geological specimens and books. Full of enthusiasm for geology, he returned to the United States and investigated the Appalachian Mountain region. In 1809 his Observations on the Geology of the United States was published. A liberal patron of science, he helped to found the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, which he also endowed with his valuable library of some 3,300 volumes.