John Muir, "The Father of our National Parks"

John Muir was not a 'dreamer,' but a practical man, a faithful citizen, a scientific observer, a writer of enduring power, with vision, poetry, courage in a contest, a heart of gold, and a spirit pure and fine.

Robert Underwood Johnson, in John Muir As I Knew Him, from Sierra Club Bulletin

1916

Portrait of John Muir, “The Father of our National Parks”
 
John Muir (1838-1914), also known as “The Father of our National Parks,” was a renowned conservationist whose efforts had monumental effects on environmental protection in the United States.

 
His love of nature, travel, and exploration led to the publication of over three hundred articles and several books, and the effect of these writings was far-reaching. Influenced by Muir, President Cleveland founded the United States Forest Service and helped create over a dozen forest reserves, while President Roosevelt established five national parks and nearly 150 million acres of national forest. Although he traveled to every continent outside of Antarctica, he felt especially fond of The Sierra Nevada and Yosemite, a passion which led to the birth of the Sierra Club. To this day, this organization helps establish new National Parks and is extremely active in the preservation of our wildlife and natural resources. Nearly one hundred years after his death, John Muir continues to serve as an inspiration for anyone with a love of the wilderness and a desire to protect our natural world. In fact, many people celebrate his contributions on April 21st, “John Muir Day.”

Unknown

1902

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/John_Muir_c1902.jpg

Source: The John Muir Exhibit (n.d.). In Sierra Club. Retrieved Oct 5, 2012, from http://bit.ly/QP07HX

For further exploration please visit http://www.nps.gov/history/museum/exhibits/jomu/

http://www.sierraclub.org/john_muir_exhibit/

Library of Congress

Library of Congress

Medium: Photograph.

English

Figures

John Muir, National Parks, Conservationalist, Environment, US Forest Service, Sierra Club

Historic