John James Abert (17 September 1788 – 27 January 1863) was a United States soldier. He headed the Corps of Topographical Engineers for 32 years, during which time he organized the mapping of the American West.
Abert was born in Shepherdstown, Virginia (now West Virginia). He graduated from West Point in 1811 at the bottom of his class, but declined a commission. After leaving West Point, he married Ellen Matlack Stretch. He rejoined the army as a topographical engineer with the rank of brevet major in October 1814. His son, James William Abert, who also became a member of the corps, was born in 1820. In 1829 John Abert was promoted to the leadership of the corps. Officers working under him were responsible for the exploration and mapping of the lands west of the Mississippi River. He was elected an Associate Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1845.
Abert Rim in Oregon was named after him, as was Abert's Squirrel.
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