Matthew Fontaine Maury (1808-1873)

Matthew Fontaine Maury was an American astronomer, oceanographer, meteorologist, educator, author and naval officer. He wrote the first comprehensive book on oceanography titled 'The Physical Geography of the Sea' first published in 1855. Maury joined the US Navy in 1825 and rose to the role of Commander. He was nicknamed "Pathfinder of the Seas" and "Father of Modern Oceanography and Naval Meteorology" and later, "Scientist of the Seas" for his extensive work on oceonography and navigation. 

Maury was a prominent supporter of slavery. When the American Civil War broke out he resigned his post in the U.S. Navy to join the Confederate Navy. After the war he taught at the Virginia Military Institute in Lexington, Virginia. In July 2020 Maury's statue in Richmond, Virginia was removed as part of the Mayor's orders to remove Confederate statues from the city. 

"I am in no manner responsible for the errors and

blunders which have been or may be ommitted by those

publishers who have pirated the work…"

In a letter written on 27th June 1859 Matthew Maury gives permission to Sampson Low to translate and publish 'The Physical Geography of the Sea' in Welsh. The work was first published in America by Harper & Bros. New York. In his letter Maury refers to possible pirated versions of his work that have been printed in England. 

There is an additional postscript by American writer Alfred Hudson Guernsey (1824-1902), editor of Harper's Magazine, referring to Maury's signature.

View Matthew Fontaine Maury's letter [opens in a new window]

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