John Henry Alexander was a noted scientist and businessman, born in Annapolis, Maryland in 1812.
Education
The youngest child of William and Mary (Harwood Stockett) Alexander, he attended Saint John"s College in Annapolis and graduated in 1827 at the age of fifteen. He, instead, chose to begin working for the Baltimore and Susquehanna Railroad. Alexander also attended medical lectures in Baltimore, though he did not receive a degree in Medicine.
Career
As part of his work for the railroad, Alexander performed surveys and made maps of the route. He was charged with the task of creating a complete map of Maryland. While carrying out his surveys for this task, Alexander located several canal route proposals including Zekiah Swamp and the richest coal deposits in the state.
Frustrated with needing to divert his mapping assignment for internal improvement projects, he resigned from his position as Maryland"s official cartographer.
By the time Alexander resigned his state position in 1837, the company"s success had made him financially secure.