Later, he performed geological surveys in Texas and Arkansas until 1892, and then traveled the country as a mining surveyor.
In 1903 his brothers and father were investors who formed the Utah Copper Company.
[2] After his father died in 1908, Penrose made a complete career change, using his knowledge as a mining geologist to succeed as a mining investor and as an entrepreneur in other areas as well.
The Penrose bequest serves to support the research grants program of the Geological Society of America.
[4] Penrose was President of the Academy of Natural Sciences of Philadelphia 1922-1926.