Snapshot of a Famous Naturalist

{Photo from pbs.org}

 Today I thought I'd introduce you to a famous naturalist who has been called the "patron saint of the American wilderness." John Muir was born in Scotland in 1838 and his family emigrated to the United States when he was 11 years old. He became one of America's most famous and influential naturalists and conservationists. He taught the people of his time the importance of experiencing and protecting our natural heritage. 

When he was still young, John's father made him memorized three-fourths of the Old Testament and all of the New Testament. Because of his strong religious background, much of his writings are laced with Scripture and praise to God. John's ability to memorize so much Scripture and incorporate it into his writings is an inspiration to me. I would love to be able to memorize that much Scripture!

Here are just a few excerpts from his writings:

• "In every walk in nature one receives far more than he seeks."
• "Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature's darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but nature's sources never fail." (Our National Parks, 1901)
•  "Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life." (Our National Parks, 1901)
• "Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal and give strength to body and soul" (The Yosemite)
•  "No synonym for God is so perfect as Beauty. Whether as seen carving the lines of the mountains with glaciers, or gathering matter into stars, or planning the movements of water, or gardening - still all is Beauty! "

John Muir published over 300 articles and 12 books. Here you can find the complete text of each of his books, as well as some of his articles (for FREE!)