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CHARLES H. DARCY : 1905 - 1928 ORIGINAL GROUP OF SIX [6] MANUSCRIPT DIARIES HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG 17 YEAR OLD BOY WHO WOULD GO ON THE BE A KEY MEMBER OF THE US GEOLOGICAL SURVEY TEAM AFTER A STINT IN ARMY INTELLIGENCE

16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. On offer is an excellent collection of six [6] diaries from a distinguished member of the U.S. Geological Survey The diaries span a 23 year period. 1905 diary measures 3.0 x 6.0, has 121 pages and 100% complete; 1913 diary is 6.0 x 3.0, has 183 pages + extensive memoranda, and 100% complete; 1914 - 6.0 x 3.0, has 183 pages + extensive memoranda, and 100% complete; 1916 - 4.75 x 3.0, has 183 pages + extensive memoranda, 95% complete; 1917 - 5.0 x 3.0, has 183 pages + extensive memoranda, 70% complete; the last diary covers 1922 through 1928, measures 6.5' x 4.25', has 365 pages and is 100% complete. All of the diaries are in good condition. Charles H Darcy was born on a farm in upstate New York 1888. He attended Syracuse University and graduated as an engineer. His initial work took him to Maine. In 1913, he was appointed to a teaching position at Syracuse University. He moved from that position to the United States Geological Survey. To quote the USGS, the U.S. Geological Survey "provide science about the natural hazards that threaten lives and livelihoods, the water, energy, minerals, and other natural resources we rely on, the health of our ecosystems and environment, and the impacts of climate and land-use change. Our scientists develop new methods and tools to enable timely, relevant, and useful information about the Earth and its processes." Founded in 1879, its early work revolved principally around the creation of detailed maps and surveys of the United States. Darcy rose in the organization to become Chief of the Topographic Surveys Section. In WWI, he served as a 1st Lt., working as an instructor in mapping and cartography at the Army Intelligence school. He lived much of his professional life in Washington and passed away in 1968 at the age of 80. His first diary is written when he is 17 years old. It recounts many of the usual activities of a teenage boy. "I went to school all day. After school, I took care of the cows. In the evening, I worked my algebra." [Mar 23, 1905]; "I went to school all day. After school, I froze some ice cream. In the evening, I went down to Well's to see his foxes" [May 10, 1905]; "I went to school today. After school I went to a football game - Afton vs Bainbridge. The score was 6 and 6."[Oct 5, 1905]. In June of 1913, he graduated from Syracuse University. His entries following graduation suggest he was working as an engineer, helping lay out roads. An Oct 10th newspaper clipping, enclosed in the diary contains an announcement that he has been appointed as an instructor in Mechanical Drawing at Syracuse University. "Had an 8 o'clock lecture and then took charge of photosurveying until noon as Prof Howe was sick and didn't come up. Didn't have any class in the afternoon so I worked on my bridge and also played ball a little. Went to E.L. in the evening." [May 13, 1913]; "I left home at 8:30 for Syracuse and got there at 12:15. Went up and settled for my diploma in the afternoon. ..." [June 4, 1913]; "Struck an awful job today, Ran line over a second class road south from Stahl's Hill down into the woods and to the road over to Howards Hill." [July 8, 1913]; "Had a class in lettering 9-11 this morning and then had the mechanical drawing 1-5. Wrote to Ina in the evening. Had postcard from Fred P. Today. He is in Honolulu on his way to Manila P.I." [Oct 20, 1913]; "Had the Engineers in Lettering all morning and then had the L.A. people in mechanical writing all the afternoon. Wrote to Ma in the evening and then read a little while." [Dec 11, 1913]. In 1914, he continued working as an instructor at Syracuse and also did some outside road engineering and surveying work, Interestingly, there is a small, detailed map of the Panama Canal glued into the diary at the back. The 1916 diary sees him already working with the U.S. Bureau of Standards. He would work there until mid-September. Many of the entries deal with the day to day work he was doing including cartography and various experiments he was carrying out. Following his resignation from the Bureau of Standards, he eventually ended up at the U.S. Geological Survey, doing field work. Worked on the Moira Sheet today finishing up odds and ends - getting ready to be lettered. Had to go to Congressional Library to look up the St. Lawrence County line." [Mar 1, 1916]; "Pay checks came today. Started an account in the Metropolitan Nat'l Bank. Not much to do today only clean up around. Went over to E Library this eve. and saw Mme Petrova in "Playing With Fire". [May 4, 1916]; "Went out on the 7:00 trolley in the morning. Ran 5.3 miles today, part of it along the C.V.R.R. Got about 2 miles more to Carlisle. Came in on the trolley tonight." [Sept 26, 1916]; "Went over beyond Cologne and did some traversing and sketching" [Nov 18, 1916]. His 1917 diary details more survey and cartography work. However, in October, things changed for him. "Got telegram from the War Dept to report to Camp Devons. Spent the day getting things packed and finishing up work to turn over to Capt. Hannigan. Have about 10 sq mi. Sketched." [Oct 10, 1917]. Darcy was commissioned as a Lieutenant and served as an instructor at the Army Intelligence school. He served until the end of the war. The final diary is a perpetual diary spanning the years 1922 into 1928. The entries are often brief and deal almost exclusively with his work. "Fair and Cold. Continued work on Knoxville Area." [Jan 26, 1922] This collection of diaries gives a detailed look at the intricate and enormous task of mapping and surveying the United States. Darcy was instrumental in this work and in later years would rise to the position of Chief of the Topographic Surveys Section. He published papers and spoke at conferences. For a geographer, this presents a fascinating view of the early work done in Geography and topographic surveying. This work laid the foundation for modern Geographic Information Systems (GIS).. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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