Muir, John (1838–1914)

John Muir is considered to be one of the founding figures of the American conservation movement, which evolved into what we now know as envi-ronmentalism. Muir was born in Scotland but was raised in Wisconsin in a home governed by a very strict Christian father. Muir attended university in Wisconsin, where he took some classes that spurred his interest in nature. Instead of graduating, Muir undertook a walk to the American South. After this walk, he moved to California.

Muir eventually settled in the area of Yosemite. His experiences there inspired and confirmed his tendency to supplement traditional Christian religion with a spiritual view of nature. Viewing Yosemite, he saw nature as a temple. He undertook various jobs in the area, all the while nurturing his ...