Alexander Dallas Bache

Alexander Dallas Bache
A 19th century illustration of Bache and his signature
6th Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey
In office 1843–1867
President	James K. Polk Zachary Taylor Millard Fillmore Franklin Pierce James Buchanan Abraham Lincoln Andrew Johnson
Preceded by	Ferdinand Rudolph Hassler
Succeeded by	Benjamin Peirce
1st President of the National Academy of Sciences
In office 1863–1867
Succeeded by	Joseph Henry
Personal details
Born	(1806-07-19)July 19, 1806 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	February 17, 1867(1867-02-17) (aged 60) Newport, Rhode Island, U.S.
Resting place	Congressional Cemetery
Spouse	Nancy Clark Fowler
Children	1
Alma mater	US Military Academy
Known for	coastal mapping project
Scientific career
Fields	Physics
Institutions	University of Pennsylvania

Alexander Dallas Bache (July 19, 1806 – February 17, 1867) was an American physicist, scientist, and surveyor who erected coastal fortifications and conducted a detailed survey to map the mideastern United States coastline. Originally an army engineer, he later became Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey, and built it into the foremost scientific institution in the country before the American Civil War.