John
Muir
John Muir (1838-1914) was America's most famous and influential naturalist
and conservationist. He has been called "The Father of our National
Parks," "Wilderness Prophet," and "Citizen of the
Universe." He once described himself more humorously, and perhaps
most accurately, as, a "poetico-trampo-geologist-botanist and ornithologist-naturalist
etc. etc. !!!!"
As
a wilderness explorer, he is renowned for his exciting adventures in California's
Sierra Nevada, among Alaska's glaciers, and world wide travels in search
of nature's beauty. As a writer, he taught the people of his time and
ours the importance of experiencing and protecting our natural heritage.
His writings contributed greatly to the creation of Yosemite, Sequoia,
Mount Rainier, Petrified Forest, and Grand Canyon National Parks.
His words and deeds helped inspire President Theodore Roosevelt's innovative conservation programs, including establishing the first National Monuments by Presidential Proclamation, and Yosemite National Park by congressional action. In 1892, John Muir and other supporters formed the Sierra Club "to make the mountains glad." John Muir was the Club's first president, an office he held until his death in 1914. Muir's Sierra Club has gone on to help establish a series of new National Parks and a National Wilderness Preservation System.
More information at the Sierra Club's John Muir Exhibit