John Muir

Page history last edited by aprimett 6 mos ago

John Muir

(April 21, 1838 - December 24, 1914)

Childhood, Education and Career History-

John Muir was born in Dunbar Scotland in 1838. When he was eleven years old his family moved to Wisconsin. His father was really strict and wouldn't let him go to school. His father had thought education was a waste of time when you could be working and doing something productive. John Muir's father had made him work from sun up to sun down but did eventually agree to let him read when he wasn't working. John would get up at 1am everymorning before he had to work so he could read. At the age of twenty-two he applied and was accepted to the University of Wisconsin. He studied science and tried to study medicine but gave up because he was more interested in plants. He never graduated but he learned enough from his studies to help him in his career. For most of his life after leaving college he traveled to various spots taking odd jobs just to cover his expense's. He traveled to various places like Canada, Indiana, Florida, New York, California by either sailing or walking.

Philosophy-

John Muir wanted people to understand the importance of land and forest conservation in america. He traveled with people such as Theodore Rosevelt and GIfford Pinchot to create protected areas of the environment

"God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests and floods. But he cannot save them from fools." -John Muir

Accomplishments-

Some of the accomplishments John Muir is most popular for are passing a law making Yosemite Valley a National Park, and he created The Sierra Club. This club was made to be dedicated to preserving wild lands.