CHURCH, GEORGE EARL (1835-191o), American geog rapher, was born in New Bedford (Mass.), on Dec. 7, 183S. He was educated as a civil engineer, and was early engaged on the Hoosac tunnel. In 1858 he joined an exploring expedition to South America. During the American Civil War he served (1862-65) in the Army of the Potomac, rising to the command of a brigade and the rank of colonel; and in 1866-67 he was war correspondent of the New York Herald in Mexico. He explored the Amazon (1868-79), and gradually became the leading author ity on that region of South America. In 188o he was appointed U.S. commissioner to report on Ecuador, and in 1895 visited Costa Rica to report on its debt and railways. He wrote extensively on South and Central American geography, and became a vice president of the Royal Geographical Society (London), and in 1898 president of the geographical section of the British Asso ciation.