Muir, John

Renowned preservationist and founder of the Sierra Club John Muir is known for his work advocating the preservation of wilderness and natural places in America during the 19th century. His passionate views and writing about nature and the environment have constituted an important part of the American environmental movement.

Born in Dunbar, Scotland, in 1838, Muir moved to America in 1849 at the age of 11, first settling in the state of Wisconsin, where his father acquired land for farming. The land required much effort from the Muir family, including from Muir himself, the third child and eldest son in a family of eight children. Although Muir is better known for his work in the western United States, he retained strong links to Wisconsin throughout his ...