Richard Owen: Distinguished Geologist, Teacher, Author, and Soldier (PE-03)
Richard Owen, M.D., youngest son of Robert Owen of New Harmony fame, was appointed Indiana State Geologist in 1860 after the death of his brother David Dale Owen. he completed and published the report of David Owen's second geological survey of Indiana of 1859-60.

Owen served his country as a soldier--as an infantry captain in the Mexican War and as a colonel of Indiana Volunteers during the Civil War. He won great respect for humanitarian treatment of Confederate prisoners while commandant at Camp Morton (Indianapolis) in 1861-62.

After the war, Dr. Owen was professor of natural science at Indiana University. He was appointed Purdue University's first president in 1872, but resigned in 1874 to return to I.U. as professor and curator of the museum.

Our Hoosier State Beneath Us: People