John Muir of Yosemite

John Muir, the father of modern conservationism, was born in Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland, on April 21, 1838.

Muir traveled extensively during his life, always searching for the beauty of nature. He has traveled to North America, South America, Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia, but one of his favorite places (many people say his absolute favorite) is Yosemite.

Muir arrived in Yosemite in March 1868. He returned many times over the years and even worked for a year as a shepherd.

His love for Yosemite never faded, prompting him to form the Sierra Club, which is still active in Yosemite conservation.

John Muir’s writings span his life publishing 300 articles and 12 books (the last four of his books were published after his death). “The Yosemite” was his tenth book and was published in 1912.

“The Yosemite” is a must read for anyone who loves Yosemite.

Muir devoted much of his later life to efforts to preserve the forests. He was a friend of the poor and presidents and lobbied the United States Congress to establish a National Park in Yosemite (also Sequoia). The National Parks Bill became law in 1899.

Much of the current ecological movement and conservation thinking and ideas come directly from John Muir. Without a doubt, he is the most quoted person in the renovation and reuse community today.

Muir’s last stand was in opposition to building a dam to trap the Tuolumne River and make a reservoir to provide San Francisco with water. Muir lost that fight in 1913 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the damn law into law.

John Muir died the following year in Los Angeles California at the age of 76.