John Oliver La Gorce (1880–1959) was an American writer and explorer known for his work in the National Geographic Society. He served as Associate Editor of the Society from 1905 to 1922, Vice President from 1922 to 1954, and President from 1954 to 1957, before retiring at the age of 77.[1]
John Oliver La Gorce was born on September 22, 1880 (some sources say 1879) in Scranton, Pennsylvania.[2] As a youngster, he became very interested in the Morse code which his mother had taught him, and he went to the US Capitol to practice telegraphy.
However, his biggest interest was in exploring and geography, and he was hired in 1905 by Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor, the third president of the Society and who would become his close friend. He soon became popular in the Society, and in 1914 a special photo of him in his office was published in the Magazine.[3]
Career
La Gorce remained in the Society for 54 years, from 1905 until his death in 1959. He was an avid photographer and went to locations all around the world, taking many amazing pictures including sailboats in Lisbon harbor, tuna and seabirds feeding on sardines, El Capitan in Yosemite National Park, and many more.[4] He also write many articles for the Magazine. His biggest interest was perhaps in fishes, and in 1919 he participated in a hunt that brought in a 22-foot manta ray, the world's biggest to date. He also helped produce the world's first underwater photographs in 1926, and edited all versions of the National Geographic's The Book of Fishes.[5]
La Gorce was married to actress Betty Brice (they divorced in 1913), and had one child who he named after his friend, Gilbert Grosvenor La Gorce. His son died early in 1959, leaving La Gorce devastated. Nevertheless, he continued to work in the Society right up until his death in 1959. For less than three years, from May 1954 to January 1957, he had served as President of the Society, retiring mostly due to health problems. However, he was criticized for choosing not to change anything about the magazine (his successor, Melville Bell Grosvenor, son of Gilbert, changed the name of the Magazine to National Geographic in March 1960, which La Gorce chose never to do).
La Gorce was so influential in his work for the Magazine and world travels that many landmarks are named after him. These include the La Gorce Mountains in Antarctica and the La Gorce Arch in Utah. In addition to National Geographic, he served as a US Delegate in the 1925 Pan American Scientific Congress. He was given the Henry Grier Bryant Medal in 1948 by the Geographic Society of Philadelphia for "outstanding service to geography." Finally, in 1955, he was chosen by Columbia University as a leading journalist to receive the Maria Moors Cabot Award for promoting understanding among nations of the Americas.[6]
John Oliver La Gorce died of unknown causes on December 23, 1959, at the age of 79. At the National Geographic Society, they hung the blue, brown and green flag at half mast.
References
^Bryan, C.D.B. (1988). The National Geographic Society: 100 Years of Adventure and Discovery. Pgs. 298–301, 304–305. ISBN0-8109-1376-3.
^"John Oliver La Gorce". NNDB. Retrieved February 27, 2015.
john, oliver, gorce, 1880, 1959, american, writer, explorer, known, work, national, geographic, society, served, associate, editor, society, from, 1905, 1922, vice, president, from, 1922, 1954, president, from, 1954, 1957, before, retiring, gorce, 1930, conten. John Oliver La Gorce 1880 1959 was an American writer and explorer known for his work in the National Geographic Society He served as Associate Editor of the Society from 1905 to 1922 Vice President from 1922 to 1954 and President from 1954 to 1957 before retiring at the age of 77 1 La Gorce in 1930 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 References 4 External linksEarly life EditJohn Oliver La Gorce was born on September 22 1880 some sources say 1879 in Scranton Pennsylvania 2 As a youngster he became very interested in the Morse code which his mother had taught him and he went to the US Capitol to practice telegraphy However his biggest interest was in exploring and geography and he was hired in 1905 by Gilbert Hovey Grosvenor the third president of the Society and who would become his close friend He soon became popular in the Society and in 1914 a special photo of him in his office was published in the Magazine 3 Career EditLa Gorce remained in the Society for 54 years from 1905 until his death in 1959 He was an avid photographer and went to locations all around the world taking many amazing pictures including sailboats in Lisbon harbor tuna and seabirds feeding on sardines El Capitan in Yosemite National Park and many more 4 He also write many articles for the Magazine His biggest interest was perhaps in fishes and in 1919 he participated in a hunt that brought in a 22 foot manta ray the world s biggest to date He also helped produce the world s first underwater photographs in 1926 and edited all versions of the National Geographic s The Book of Fishes 5 La Gorce was married to actress Betty Brice they divorced in 1913 and had one child who he named after his friend Gilbert Grosvenor La Gorce His son died early in 1959 leaving La Gorce devastated Nevertheless he continued to work in the Society right up until his death in 1959 For less than three years from May 1954 to January 1957 he had served as President of the Society retiring mostly due to health problems However he was criticized for choosing not to change anything about the magazine his successor Melville Bell Grosvenor son of Gilbert changed the name of the Magazine to National Geographic in March 1960 which La Gorce chose never to do La Gorce was so influential in his work for the Magazine and world travels that many landmarks are named after him These include the La Gorce Mountains in Antarctica and the La Gorce Arch in Utah In addition to National Geographic he served as a US Delegate in the 1925 Pan American Scientific Congress He was given the Henry Grier Bryant Medal in 1948 by the Geographic Society of Philadelphia for outstanding service to geography Finally in 1955 he was chosen by Columbia University as a leading journalist to receive the Maria Moors Cabot Award for promoting understanding among nations of the Americas 6 John Oliver La Gorce died of unknown causes on December 23 1959 at the age of 79 At the National Geographic Society they hung the blue brown and green flag at half mast References Edit Bryan C D B 1988 The National Geographic Society 100 Years of Adventure and Discovery Pgs 298 301 304 305 ISBN 0 8109 1376 3 John Oliver La Gorce NNDB Retrieved February 27 2015 National Geographic March 1960 page 443 Photographer John Oliver La Gorce Corbis Retrieved February 27 2015 National Geographic March 1960 page 441 National Geographic March 1960 page 440 External links EditWorks by or about John Oliver La Gorce at Internet Archive Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title John Oliver La Gorce amp oldid 1012932096, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
