Joseph Nisbet LeConte

Joseph Nisbet LeConte (February 7, 1870 – February 1, 1950) was an American explorer of the Sierra Nevada. He was also a cartographer, a photographer and a professor of mechanical engineering.

Early life Joseph Nisbet LeConte was born in Oakland, California to Joseph and Caroline (Nisbet) LeConte.

An avid photographer, he took many photos of the Sierra Nevada, including the High Sierra and Hetch Hetchy Valley before it was flooded by the dam.

A charter and lifelong member of the Sierra Club, he held several positions of leadership in it. After John Muir died, he served as the club's second president (1915–1917). He was instrumental in helping create the John Muir Trail through the High Sierra as a tribute to his predecessor. He sat on the Sierra Club Board of Directors from 1898 through 1940, and at various times was vice president, secretary, treasurer, and outings chair.

In 1901 he married Helen Gompertz, whom he met in the Sierra Club.

LeConte Point in Hetch Hetchy Valley and Le Conte Avenue at the southern border of UCLA in Westwood Village, Los Angeles are named after him.