John Muir (April 21, 1838 – December 24, 1914) was a Scottish-American naturalist, writer, and conservationist, often called the "Father of the National Parks". His efforts led to the preservation of Yosemite Valley and Sequoia National Park, shaping America’s environmental movement.
Born in Scotland, Muir emigrated to Wisconsin in 1849. He studied at the University of Wisconsin but left to explore nature. A near-blinding accident in 1867 led him to dedicate his life to the wilderness. His 1,000-mile walk to the Gulf of Mexico, later documented in A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf, reinforced his passion for conservation.
Muir’s writings, filled with poetic reverence for nature, inspired public support for national parks. He co-founded the Sierra Club in 1892, advocating for wilderness preservation. His lobbying helped establish Yosemite as a national park in 1890. He also explored Alaska and studied glaciology.
His legacy endures through his environmental writings and the continued efforts of conservationists. His work laid the foundation for the U.S. National Park Service, ensuring the protection of natural landscapes.