Near Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Matthew Fontaine Maury

Pathfinder of the Seas

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007

1. Matthew Fontaine Maury Marker

Inscription. Near this spot was born
Matthew Fontaine
1806 Maury 1873
——
Pathfinder of the Seas
Author of physical geography of the sea
Founder of the science of meteorology
First to conceive the idea of an Atlantic Cable
Under his direction the first cable was laid 1858
Father of the U.S. Naval Observatory
——
Erected by the
Maury Birthplace Association
J.T. Goolrick, Organizer.

Erected by Maury Birthplace Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Science & Medicine • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1806.

Location. 38° 17.32′ N, 77° 38.235′ W. Marker is near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, in Spotsylvania County. Marker is on McLaws Drive, on the right when traveling south. Located at the Maury's Birthplace stop, an un-numbered stop on the Battle of Chancellorsville driving tour. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 12015 Sawhill Blvd, Spotsylvania VA 22553, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Jackson on the Move (here, next to this marker); Maury House Trail (a few steps from this marker); Birthplace of Matthew Fontaine Maury (1806-1873) (about 500 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Maury Birthplace (about 500 feet away); About a mile in the distance... (about 700 feet away); Chancellorsville Campaign (approx. 0.4 miles away); A Region of Gloom (approx. 0.6 miles away); Catharine Furnace (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Spotsylvania Courthouse.

Regarding Matthew Fontaine Maury. This is one of several markers for the Battle of Chancellorsville along McLaws Drive, Furnace Road, Sickles Drive, and East Jackson Trail, on the east side of the battlefield. See the McLaws's Line to Catharine Furnace Virtual Tour by Markers in the links section for a listing of related markers on the tour.

Also see . . .
1. Matthew Fontaine Maury. Wikipedia entry. Maury can be called the father of Oceanography. (Submitted on November 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

2. Discussion of Maury's Work. Maury studied ocean currents at a time when sailing vessels were reaching their pinnacle of development and steam propulsion was taking hold. Maury's charts enabled ship captains to

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007

2. Matthew Fontaine Maury Marker

transit the oceans faster. (Submitted on November 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. McLaws's Line to Catharine Furnace Virtual Tour by Markers. Spread across a two mile segment on the east side of the battlefield, this virtual tour by markers covers action from May 1-3, 1863. (Submitted on November 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

Photographed By Bill Coughlin, April 18, 2023

3. Matthew Fontaine Maury Marker

Maury Birthplace Ruins image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Swain, November 10, 2007

4. Maury Birthplace Ruins

Credits. This page was last revised on April 24, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 1,776 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. 3. submitted on April 24, 2023, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. 4. submitted on November 17, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.