The contributions of Albert Miller Lea to the literature of Iowa history are neither voluminous nor critical.

They consist chiefly of a small book of forty-five pages, two maps, and two reports ; but, having been written during the forma- tive period of beginnings, they have an historical impor- tance which is out of proportion to their critical character.

The little book gave the State its name ; the reports were the bases of legislation and large appropriations by Con- gress ; and the maps served as guides to settlers for a long period of years.

Albert Miller Lea was a Lieutenant in the United States Army and an accomplished civil engineer a man of varied attainments and remarkable foresight.

He was born in 1807 at Lea Springs a place not far distant from Knox- ville, Tennessee.