George H. Cook
In 1864 the New Jersey state legislature passed a law naming George Hamill Cook the third state geologist of New Jersey. Cook was given four years and twenty thousand dollars to continue the geologic survey of the state. In 1868, Cook completed a 900-page report and a four-section geological map of the state. In his report, Cook noted that it was impossible to complete a full topographical survey of the state because of the inaccuracy of existing maps and surveys. He was thus allowed to continue work as state geologist and in 1888, with help from the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey and Cornelius Clarkson Vermeule, Cook completed the first topographical survey of New Jersey. You are looking at the Special Collections copy of this map.