Natural / Environmental Change, Reconstruction / Industrialization: John Muir

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Similar content addressed in SOLs: VS.1a-i; USII.1a-h; USII.3d

John Muir was one of America’s leading scientific figures in the late 1800s. Trained as a botanist, Muir traveled throughout the country before settling down in California near Yosemite National Park. There he used his knowledge of the earth’s natural processes and his love of nature’s beauty to argue for the protection of the country’s natural resources. He became the nation’s foremost conservationist. He met and befriended President Theodore Roosevelt, who would use Muir’s ideas to advocate for the establishment of a federal agency to oversee national parks.

  • John Muir, full-length portrait, facing right, seated on rock with lake and trees in backgroundSeen here sitting pensively on a rock, Muir was one of the earliest advocates for federal protection of America’s natural beauty.
  • Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Falls, reflected, Yosemite National Park, CAMuir spent much of his early years as a writer, traveler, and activist in Yosemite National Park, seen here.
  • The mountains of California, by John MuirTo help attract national attention to the issue of conservation, Muir published a variety of works on nature. The Mountains of California, written about the Sierra Nevada mountain range, was one of his most famous pieces.
  • Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir on Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, CaliforniaIn the image above, Muir stands alongside President Teddy Roosevelt in Yosemite. Muir’s friendship with the President helped his cause – the President supported Muir’s ideas and passed laws to protect the environment. In the book above, Muir wrote down his descriptions of the beauty of California. These two images represent two ways Muir sought to make a change – one by changing laws, and one by changing people’s opinion.
  • Muir Woods, path through tres, Muir Woods, CAMuir’s efforts to protect areas of natural significance were largely successful. The Sierra Club, which Muir founded, remains one of the nation’s leading environmental activist groups. Additionally, Muir’s work of promoting conservation led to the creation of the federal National Parks Service, created two years after Muir died.

    The forested area seen here was named “Muir Woods” in honor of Muir.