Cyrus ThomasCyrus Thomas was a multifaceted American scholar known for his significant contributions to ethnology, archaeology, and entomology during the late nineteenth century. Born in Kingsport, Tennessee in 1825, he initially pursued medicine and law, becomig a practicing attorney and briefly serving as a Lutheran minister before his attention turned to the sciences. As an entomologist, Thomas played a key role in understanding and combating crop pests, such as the Hessian fly and chinch bug, using innovative approaches to predict insect outbreaks based on weather patterns. His scientific expeditions included work in the American West and the famous Hayden Geological Survey, which contributed to the creation of Yellowstone National Park. Later, he became renowned for his work in archaeology, notably disproving the theory that North American mounds were built by a vanished race, instead affirming their Native American origins. Thomas's legacy includes leadership in entomology, foundational studies in American archaeology, and enduring influence in scientific research and public understanding of Indigenous cultures. Read More Read Less