Kern, Richard H., 1821-1853

Richard H. Kern was the older brother of Edward Meyer Kern. Richard was also an illustrator and scientist who, like Edward, accompanied the surveyor John C. Frémont on an expedition through the Rocky Mountains. He later worked for the U.S. Army, drawing topographical views of Indian territories. Unfortunately, he was killed in an ambush in 1853.

From the description of Richard H. Kern's trip with Sitgreaves', 1851, August 13-September 22. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 756873293

From the description of Notes of a military Reconnaissance, 1849, August 17-September 22. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 756873254

Artist, topographer, and explorer.

A Philadelphia artist, art teacher at the Franklin Institute, and member of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, Richard Kern between 1848 and his death in 1853 accompanied four major mapping and scientific expeditions to the West, including John Charles Frémont's tragic 1848 expedition to the southern Rockies and James H. Simpson's punitive 1849 expedition against the Navajo. Between expeditions in Santa Fe, Kern did map and other project work for the Corps of Topographical Engineers.

From the description of Letter : Santa Fe, N.M., to [Samuel George Morton, Philadelphia, Pa.], 1850 July 3-4. (Newberry Library). WorldCat record id: 38861639