Edward Griffin Beckwith

Edward Griffin Beckwith
Edward Griffin Beckwith, c. 1863
Born	(1818-06-25)June 25, 1818 Cazenovia, New York
Died	June 22, 1881(1881-06-22) (aged 62) Clifton, New York
Resting place	Arlington National Cemetery
Nationality	American
Occupation	Soldier and explorer

Edward Griffin Beckwith (June 25, 1818 – June 22, 1881) was a United States Army officer who served in the Union Army during the American Civil War and who conducted one of the Pacific Railroad Surveys in the 1850s and became known as the "Explorer of the Central Rockies".

Beckwith was born on June 25, 1818 (some report a January birthdate) in Cazenovia, New York, son of Judge Barak Beckwith, and Polly (Kennedy) Beckwith. He graduated from West Point in 1842.

He served in garrison at Savannah, Georgia as a second lieutenant of the Third Artillery until 1846, when he was appointed for recruiting service. He was promoted First lieutenant June 18, 1846, and took an active part in the Mexican–American War; he was present at Tampico and Vera Cruz. Beckwith was engaged in the Pacific Railroad Survey from 1853 to 1857 with John Williams Gunnison. Notably, the First Transcontinental Railroad followed his recommended route. His report, which also included an extensive survey of the Great Salt Lake, contained "much information on the plants, animals, climate, and geographical features of the lands he had explored". He succeeded Gunnison as leader of the survey after his death, and personally recommended the route for the railroad. He was also involved with constructing military roads in Nebraska and Kansas, between 1857–1859.