William Austin Burt | |
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 sketch, before 1873 | |
| Born | William Austin Burt June 13, 1792 Petersham, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | August 18, 1858(1858-08-18) (aged 66) Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Resting place | Elmwood Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Surveyor |
| Employer | United States government |
| Known for |
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| Title | Hon. Wm. A. Burt |
| Political party | Jeffersonian Republican |
| Spouse | Phoebe Cole |
| Children | 5 sons |
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William Austin Burt (June 13, 1792 – August 18, 1858) was an Americaninventor,legislator,surveyor, andmillwright.
Burt was born inWorcester, Massachusetts, and lived inMichigan from 1822 until his death in 1858. He was a member of theMichigan Territorial Legislature, 1826–7. He served asMount Vernon's firstpostmaster from 1832 to 1856. He was aMacomb CountyCircuit Court judge in 1833, astate legislator in 1853, and a deputy U.S. surveyor from 1833 to 1853.[1] While surveying, he won acclaim for his accurate work on public land surveys. In 1857, Burt moved toDetroit, where he died a year later.[2]
Among Burt's numerous inventions were thetypographer in 1829, which was a predecessor to thetypewriter.[3] He also invented thesolar compass, a surveying tool used in theMichigan Survey, employed in regions which had an abundance ofminerals that would interfere with accurate readings when using ordinary instruments. While out surveying on September 19, 1844, in what is todayMarquette County, Michigan, Burt discovered one of the largestiron ore deposits in theUnited States.[4] His solar compass and adaptations of it became standard instruments for the government land survey in much of the western US, and were used untilGPS was available in the late 20th century. A historical plaque commemorates Burt atStony Creek, near his home inMount Vernon, Michigan.
He was awarded theJohn Scott Medal byThe Franklin Institute in 1834.
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