German physicist Wilhelm Röntgen discovered x-rays in 1895, and his first research paper was published at the end of December.

LeConte and his associates were able to construct an x-ray machine and produce images of a bullet lodged in the arm of a young boy within a week of the newspaper reports of Röntgen's discovery.

In 1944, Ansel Adams evaluated his work: "Never intentionally 'arty', most of his compositions reveal a sensitive reaction to the finest moments of the mountain scene.

He was instrumental in helping create the John Muir Trail through the High Sierra as a tribute to his predecessor.

[6] He sat on the Sierra Club Board of Directors from 1898 through 1940, and at various times was vice president, secretary, treasurer, and outings chair.

LeConte Point in Hetch Hetchy Valley and Le Conte Avenue at the southern border of UCLA in Westwood Village, Los Angeles are named after him.