George Earl Church

Colonel George Earl Church (December 7, 1835 – January 4, 1910), was an American civil engineer and geographer, famous as an explorer of South America.

Born in New Bedford, Massachusetts, his father was Richard Church, a direct descendant of Benjamin Church, while his mother's side was traced to a daughter of Edward Winslow, a passenger on board the Mayflower. After the death of his father, aged 7 he and his mother moved to Providence, Rhode Island, where he was schooled for seven years as a civil engineer.

On qualification, Church undertook various civil projects including the Hoosac Tunnel and construction of the Boston & Maine Railroad. In 1857 he was appointed Chief Engineer for the Argentine Great Northern Railway, based in Buenos Aires surveying a route for the government of Argentina. After delays occurred due to financial restrictions, Church joined a seven-month exploration of southern Argentina that covered 7,000 miles (11,000 km). On his return, he joined the engineering team of the Argentine Great Northern Railway.

At the outbreak of the American Civil War, he returned to join the Army of the Potomac in the 7th Rhode Island Infantry. He became lieutenant colonel of the 7th Rhode Island and then served as colonel (i.e. commanding officer) of the 11th Rhode Island Infantry from October 1862 until July 1863.

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