The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Becker, George Ferdinand

BECKER, George Ferdinand, American geologist: b. New York, 5 Jan. 1847. He was graduated at Harvard University in 1868; was instructor of mining and metallurgy in the University of California in 1875-79; was attached to the United States Geological Survey in 1879, and was special agent of the 10th census, 1879-83. He was appointed a special agent to examine into the mineral resources of the Philippine Islands in 1898. His publications include &lsquo;Geology of the Comstock Lode&rsquo;; &lsquo;Statistics and Technology of the Precious Metals&rsquo; (with S. F. Emmons); &lsquo;Geology of the Quicksilver Deposits of the Pacific Slope&rsquo;; &lsquo;Age of the Earth,&rsquo; etc.