Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Muir, John

MUIR, JOHN, an American naturalist born in Dunbar, Scotland, April 21, 1838; educated in Scotland and at the University of Wisconsin. His first explorations were in the less known regions of North America. For 25 years he wandered from the Gulf of Mexico to the glaciers of Alaska. In 1879 he discovered the famous Alaska glacier which bears his name. He was a member of the relief expedition sent to the Arctic regions on the United States steamer “Corwin.” He wrote over 150 articles on the physiography and natural history of the Pacific coast, on Alaska, etc. He was one of the pioneers of the movement to conserve forests and establish natural parks. He was a member of the American Academy of Art and Letters. His most important works were: “Mountains of California” (1894); “Our National Parks” (1901); “Story of My Boyhood and Youth” (1913). He also contributed much to periodicals. He died in 1914.

JOHN MUIR