Appendix No, 16.—1887. 
A BIBLIOGRAPHY OF GEODESY. 
By J. HOWARD GORE, B. S., Ph. 13. 
INTRODUCTION. 
Although the restricted popular demand for a work peculiarly designed for the uses of the 
student and scientist rarely induces its author or compiler to forego its preparation, it is never 
theless likely to be a matter of serious consideration in connection with the question of publication 
by private enterprise. It is especially the case that, beyond the gratification of his own scientific 
tastes and the undemonstrative approbation of the worthy few who appreciate the value of appli 
ances which lessen the labor of learning, the compiler of so complete and exhaustive a Bibliog 
raphy of Geodesy as that of Professor Gore can have had little to inspire his zeal and sustain 
his prolonged labor in au undertaking which, at the outset, involved the thorough exploration, in 
person, of thirty-four of the principal libraries of America and Europe, the exploration of the minor 
libraries by proxy, and, in addition, a searching inquiry by correspondence with all the geodesists 
or mathematicians of both couiiuents. That Professor Gore has not lacked, during the prepara 
tion of his work, such inspiration as was derivable from the approbation of the competent, is 
attested by the courteous action of Colonel Herschel, R. E., in placing at the Professor’s service 
his own manuscript contribution to Pendulum Bibliography, as well as by the generous overtures 
from various institutions, among them being the International Geodetic Association at Berlin, 
offering to undertake the publication of his book—a most gratifying recognition of his fitness for 
the work and of its anticipated value. 
The propriety of the reason, assigned in his preface, for declining to place the publication of 
his book in foreign hands, will hardly be disputed by any save those who are indifferent to the 
just fame of American scientists and to the continued honorable identification of the U. S. Coast 
and Geodetic Survey with the best work, and the successful promotion of the highest interests, 
of Geodesy. 
My own conviction of the propriety of Professor Gore’s attitude was so clear that I could not, 
without a conscious disregard of duty, have declined the proffer of his manuscript to this Survey, 
for preservation and publication among the scientific Appendices to its Annual Report, and so 
assuring, without cost for preparation or compilation, appropriate association of the recognized 
American Bureau of Geodesy with a complete Bibliography of Geodesy, American in inception 
and authorship and the first work of its kind. 
F. M. THORN, 
Superintendent. 
Coast and Geodetic Survey, 
Washington, May 23, 1889. 
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