Publication of John Muir's Our National Parks

John Muir (1838–1914) is considered one of America’s most important naturalists and conservationists. Muir was a prominent champion of the ideals of wilderness and an early advocate of protecting endangered environments. He was also one of the leading advocates for the founding of Yosemite National Park in 1890, and directly influenced the creation of other national parks such as Sequoia, Mount Rainier, and Grand Canyon.

Through his efforts to educate the people of his time as well as later generations about the importance of experiencing and protecting America’s natural heritage, Muir became one of America’s most dedicated and admired nature writers. Published in 1901, his book Our National Parks promoted a transcendentalist idea of national parks as wild places of inspirational beauty. It became one of the most influential books on nature protection.