J. Peter Lesley (1819–1903)

American geologist. Pastor, Congregational church, Milton, Massachusetts, 1847–52. Employed by the Pennsylvania geological survey, 1852. Professor of mining, University of Pennsylvania, 1859; dean of the science department, 1872. Visited Europe in 1863 to study rail manufacture and steel processing on behalf of the Pennsylvania Railroad. Secretary, American Iron Association, 1856–64. State geologist of Pennsylvania, 1873–87. Librarian, American Philosophical Society, 1859–85; secretary, 1859–87; vice-president, 1887.