John Muir was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books describing his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada, have been read by millions. His activism helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park, and his example has served as an inspiration for the preservation of many other wilderness areas. He was born in Dunbar, Scotland, in 1838. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1849 and settled in Wisconsin. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Muir worked as a mechanic and then as a sheepherder. In 1868, he set out on a walking tour of the...More
John Muir was a Scottish-born American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books describing his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada, have been read by millions. His activism helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park, and his example has served as an inspiration for the preservation of many other wilderness areas. He was born in Dunbar, Scotland, in 1838. He immigrated to the United States with his family in 1849 and settled in Wisconsin. After graduating from the University of Wisconsin, Muir worked as a mechanic and then as a sheepherder. In 1868, he set out on a walking tour of the western United States. During his travels, he became fascinated by the natural world and began to write about his experiences. In 1871, Muir settled in Yosemite Valley. He spent the next 20 years exploring the Sierra Nevada and writing about his experiences. His writings helped to raise awareness of the beauty and importance of the Sierra Nevada. In 1890, Muir helped to persuade Congress to establish Yosemite National Park. Muir continued to advocate for the preservation of wilderness throughout his life. He founded the Sierra Club in 1892, and he served as its president until his death in 1914. Muir's work helped to lay the foundation for the modern environmental movement.
