The publications, addresses, and official documents of explorer and scientist John Wesley Powell comprise a body of work representing many of the great historical movements and intellectual landscapes of 19th century America. Powell's work yields an astonishing array of contributions to geology, geography, anthropology and ethnography, environmental history, Native American Studies, and natural science. Specifically, there are important social and political issues connected to Powell-the fate of the indigenous people of North America, the role of the federal government in the affairs of western states, conservation of natural resources, and historical interpretation of the settlement of the American West.

This annotated bibliography consists of two sections. The first is a comprehensive bibliography of Powell's writings and includes all of Powell's monographs, including government reports, and articles in popular magazines and scientific journals, as well as the important published and unpublished administrative records and correspondence, excerpts from Congressional testimony, public addresses, and collections of archival and manuscript materials. The second section consists of selected references for published biographical material, articles, essays, non-print material, Internet resources, and monographs about Powell's life and work.