LESTER FRANK WARD
WARD, LESTER FRANK, sociologist, geologist, paleontologist, was born at Joliet, Illinois, June 18, 1841. He received his early education in the schools of his native state, and at Towanda, Pennsylvania, where he resided from 1860 to 1862. He enlisted in the Federal army during the Civil war and was wounded in the engagement at Chancellorsville. At the close of the war he was appointed to a position in the United States treasury department, Washington, District of Columbia, and was subsequently chief of the division of navigation and immigration, and librarian of the bureau of statistics, both of which were at that time under the control of the treasury department. His connection with the department continued until 1872, during which period he was graduated from Columbian (now George Washington) university, with the degree of A.B., in 1869, and from the law department of the same institution, in 1871. In 1881 he became assistant geologist of the United States geological survey, and after 1888 was chief paleontologist of that bureau.
He made extensive researches in the field of paleobotany, during his scientific work, which also stimulated a deep interest in the broader aspects of evolution, especially in its sociologic relations. While accepting the main theses of Spencer's work in philosophy he radically modified them in their application to human society. This led to the publication of a large work in two volumes, entitled "Dynamic Sociology" presenting a complete system of cosmic philosophy in outline, which has been recognized as a work of unusual force and originality. His "Psychic Factors of Civilization" was an exposition of the psychologic character of social phenomena, and certain views set out in both these works were further developed in his "Outlines of Sociology," and in "Pure Sociology."
His principal writings include: "Guide to the Flora of Washington and Vicinity" (1881); "Dynamic Sociology" (2 vols., 1883); "Sketch of Paleobotany" (1885); "Synopsis of the Flora of the Laramie Group" (1886); "Types of Laramie Flora" (1887); "Geo-
