George Evert Condra, state geologist and University of Nebraska professor, is said to be the first geologist to realize the great contribution that geology could make to agriculture. Condra was born in Seymour, Iowa in l869 and came to Lincoln to attend the University of Nebraska in l892 after attending universities in Iowa and in Michigan. He received his B.A. from the University of Nebraska in l896, his M.A. in l898, and his Ph.D. in l902. Condra enrolled in special studies at Cornell University in l902 and returned there to be a professor of geography for the summer sessions from l905-l9ll.
Condra taught sciences at Lincoln Normal School and at Lincoln High School, then became an instructor in geography and in economic geology at the University of Nebraska in l902. He was made head professor of geography and conservation in l9l2. Beginning in l9l2, he served as director of several conservation and geological organizations in Nebraska. He was appointed state geologist in l9l8. He became a dean and the director of Conservation and Survey at the University of Nebraska in l928.
From l9l5 on Condra held offices in national conservation, geology, and irrigation groups. In l943 he was president of the Izaak Walton League. During World War I he was commander of the 2l4th Engineers at Fort Riley, Kansas, and was a member of the Council of Defense.
Condra was the author of several books on geography, geology, and conservation. He died in Lincoln on August 8, l958. He was named to the Nebraska Hall of Agricultural Achievement in l955.