Born 1821 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Richard H. Kern began exhibiting landscape and figure studies in Philadelphia around 1840. He was an art teacher at the Franklin Institute, owned his own studio at 62 Filbert Street in Philadelphia, and was a member of the Academy of Natural Sciences. Between 1848 and his death in 1853, he participated in four expeditions in the west, where he accomplished his best and most well known work. Edward Meyer Kern was born 1823 in Philadelphia, the youngest of three Kern brothers. By 1841, he, too, was exhibiting in Philadelphia as a painter.

From 1848-49 Richard and Edward joined in John C. Fremont's winter expedition, along with their older brother, Benjamin (1818-1849). The two were to be artists for the expedition, and Benjamin the doctor. The trip ended badly as some of the party were killed in the mountains of Colorado from starvation and exposure. In order to move more quickly to safety, it was necessary that the brothers hide their goods (including sketches) in a cave. After arriving in New Mexico, Benjamin returned for the hidden goods and was killed by a band of Utes. Only some of the sketches were recovered.

In August of 1849, Richard and Edward joined J. H. Simpson on the 1849 exploration campaign of John M. Washington. The goal was to lead a military expedition to punish the Navajos for raids on the New Mexico settlements and to secure a treaty with them, in addition to surveying the country. Richard's role, as second assistant and artist, was to make portraits of Indian chiefs, costume, scenery, geological formations, ruins, and to copy ancient writings found on the sides of stone. Edward's role was as first assistant and topographer. The expedition brought both brothers back to New Mexico.

Edward and Richard lived in New Mexico for two years, working for the Corps of Topographical Engineers. In 1851 Richard joined Lieutenant Lorenzo Sitgreaves on an expedition to explore the Little Colorado River, and Edward joined Lieutenant John Pope, who was looking for a better route between Santa Fe and Fort Leavenworth. In 1852 Richard returned to Philadelphia.

Richard left for his fourth and final trip in 1853, joining Captain John Williams Gunnison on an expedition to survey a railroad route that would pass through the Rockies. On October 26, 1853, Richard accompanied Gunnison on a side trip to explore the area around Sevier Lake, Utah. There, A group of Pahvant Indians, seeking revenge for the murder of their chief, killed Kern alongside eight other members of Gunnison's party. The Indians carried away all the notes, sketchbooks and collections of the party. These were later returned to the U. S. Army corps.

From 1853 to 1856, Edward served aboard the U.S.S. Vincennes on the North Pacific exploring expedition commanded by Cadwalader Ringgold (later replaced by John Rodgers). This expedition navigated the globe and mapped the Japanese coast. Edward next joined Lieutenant John M. Brooke on a survey of the sea lanes between California and China, returning in 1860. During the Civil War, Edward served under Fremont, who had command of the Army of the West, but when Fremont was relieved of command, Edward was as well. He died November 23, 1863 of an epileptic attack.