He served as the first director of the United States Geological Survey from 1879 to 1881 .
Clarence Rivers King ( January 6 , 1842 -- December 24 , 1901 ) was an American geologist , mountaineer , and author .
Clarence Rivers King served as the first director of the United States Geological Survey from 1879 to 1881 .
Clarence Rivers King ( January 6 , 1842 -- December 24 , 1901 ) was an American geologist , mountaineer , and author .