Above, left: Sir George Everest (1790–1866), Surveyor General of India, 1830–43. His successor, Col. A. S. Waugh, proposed that Peak XV be named after him. Controversial because mountains were usually given their local name, the proposal was opposed by many; Everest himself kept silent, although as Surveyor General he had always insisted that local names be used.

Photo: Maull and Polyblank

Above, right: William Lambton (1753/6–1823), Surveyor General of India. In 1802 Lambton began to measure the curvature of the earth from Madras. His life’s work brought hardships of malaria and other fevers that eliminated entire survey parties, but resulted in “one of the most stupendous works in the whole history of science.” It was not completed until many years after Lambton’s death.