Vol. 48 No. 3 (2000)
Research Article

Donald Joseph Orth: A Career in Toponymy

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  • Richard R. Randall
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1179/nam.2000.48.3-4.163

Published 2000-12-01

Copyright (c) 2000 Maney

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Abstract

Abstract

During his 39-year career (1953-91) in the United States Geological Survey, Donald J. Orth made outstanding contributions to the United States Board on Geographic Names, especially in the development of principles, policies, and procedures related to domestic names. While he was chief of the Board's domestic geographic names staff from 1960 to 1991, he adroitly handled a number of difficult issues, and consistently advised Board members on the most effective ways to address particular problems. After 1977 he actively participated in United Nations work on names standardization and provided that body with significant recommendations concerning international names programs. Orth has written several papers and documents relating to name standardization and, as well, compiled the Dictionary of Alaska Place Names.

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