Muir, John (People)
Muir, John
John Muir (1838-1914), an American naturalist and political activist still known today for his pioneering conservation efforts. While living in Martinez, California, Muir accomplished many things: he battled to preserve Yosemite National Park; served as the first President and one of the founders of the Sierra Club; played a prominent role in the creation of several national parks; and wrote hundreds of newspaper and magazine articles and several books expounding on the virtues of conservation and the natural world. Muir's work laid the foundations for the creation of the U.S. National Park Service in 1916. As one unique measure of his fame and impact, the United States Geological Survey (USGS), in their guidelines on naming mountains and lakes after individuals, states that Muir has had so many things named for him already, that they would not be likely to approve any further commemorations.
