Who is Grove Karl Gilbert from Beyond the Hundredth Meridian: John Wesley Powell and the Second Opening of the West and what is their importance?

G. K. Gilbert was a geologist. He oringinally assisted with Wheeler's surveys, but then later moved over to work with John Wesley Powell. Gilbert was charged with the job of interpreting and expanding the surveys of the Powell expeditions. He went onto become Powell's main assistant and friend. Gilbert was well liked and admired within the scientific and government community, and he spent his entire life in public service. His close association with Powell enabled him to delve into the scientific realm as long as he liked..... free to pursue any line that interested him. Gilbert later served as the executor of Powell's will and wrote his first biography.