Meek, Fielding Bradford

Born at Madison, IN; progressive hearing loss began in childhood and was total in adulthood, possibly from congenital syphilis. Early career was in portrait painting and then etching; the latter led to scientific illustration for a geological survey, which led himself into geology and fossil hunting. He participated in several more major surveys and expeditions, then went to work for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington from 1858 until his death, becoming a highly valued authority and advisor.