John Muir was one of the most important figures in the environmental history of the United States and the preservation of its beauty. He is rightly regarded as one of the fathers of the modern conservation movement and his name is a source of inspiration to naturalists the world over. His resolve to safeguard America’s natural wonders created a solid foundation for his everlasting love of the outdoors. Muir took a stand against the harmful side of society in a courageous battle to save America’s forestlands. Through his literary, philosophical and activist influence, John Muir has left behind a contribution of environmental conservation that has given numerous people an opportunity to experience nature’s splendor.

John Muir was born on April 21, 1838 in the small country town of Dunbar, Scotland. As a boy, Muir was “fond of everything that was wild” and took great pleasure in the outdoors (Muir 30). In 1849, Muir and his family immigrated to Wisconsin to homestead. The great forests of Northern United States captivated him and fueled his passion to learn more. Muir later enrolled in courses in chemistry, geology, and botany at the University of Wisconsin.

Muir drew attention to the devastation of mountain meadows and forests by sheep and cattle through a series of articles appearing in Century magazine. With help from the magazine’s associate editor, Robert Underwood Johnson. Muir worked to resolve this damage. In 1890, due in large part to the efforts of Muir and Johnson, an act of Congress created Yosemite National Park. Muir was also personally involved in the creation of Sequoia, Mount Rainier, Petrified Forest and Grand Canyon National Park and often referred to as the “Father” of our National Park System (Miller 5).

By 1871, Muir had found living glaciers in the Sierra and it was there he conceived his contentious theory of glaciation in the Yosemite Valley. Muir’s reputation for exploration, and environmental studies began to be renowned throughout the country. His early correspondence and newspaper articles earned him the respect of eastern intellectuals and scientists such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Asa Gray, both of whom sought him out during their visits to California.

After his education, Muir began working in a factory inventing small machines and gadgets. However, a serious accident in the factory left Muir temporarily blind. When his vision finally returned, he vowed to live life to its fullest and dedicate all he had to the preservation of nature.

John Muir published over 300 articles and 10 major books recounting his travels, reasoning his naturalist philosophy, and summoning everyone to “climb the mountains and get their good tidings” (Gifford 34). Through his writings and language Muir magnified the essence of nature as none had ever before. Muir’s affection for the high country gave his writings a spiritual quality. Often, his enthusiasm and endless love of nature inspired and moved his readers, whether they were presidents, congressional representatives, or plain citizens (Sierra Club).

Though his travels were extensive, it was California’s Sierra Nevada and Yosemite that had in fact captured his spirit. In 1868, he walked across the San Joaquin Valley through lush fields of wildflowers and into the high country for the first time (Sierra Club). Later he would write: “it seemed to me the Sierra should be called not the Nevada, or Snowy Range, but the Range of Light…the most divinely beautiful of all the mountain chains I have ever seen” (Wolfe 230).

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