Jefferson, Mark

Jefferson, Mark (Sylvester William) (1863–1949) geographer; born in Melrose, Mass. He interrupted his studies at Boston University (B.U.) in 1883 to work at the National Observatory in Cordoba, Argentina, graduating from B.U. in 1889. He then taught in Massachusetts public schools, becoming superintendent of schools in Lexington (1893–96); he earned his Harvard M.A. in 1898. From 1901 to 1939 he was in charge of geography at Ypsilanti's Normal College (now Eastern Michian University). A skilled linguist, enthusiastic fieldworker, and prolific writer, he published numerous articles and books; among his better known books are Men in Europe (1924), Principles of Geography (1926), and Man in the United States (1933).