Pinchot, Gifford (1865–1946)

Gifford pinchot, arguably the progenitor of modern American conservation and forestry, was born to a wealthy family in Connecticut in 1865. Upon graduating from Yale University, Pinchot went on to the French National Forestry School, learning techniques and concepts that would later develop further through German and British Imperial forestry, and which underpin modern natural resource management. After two years as a member of the National Forest Commission, he later served as the first chief of the United States Forest Service (1905–10). Pinchot also founded the Yale University School of Forestry and was elected governor of Pennsylvania for two terms. Owing to his lifelong efforts to reform management of natural resources, he engendered many controversies. Nevertheless, he helped to bring conservation issues to the forefront ...