A Chronology of Important Events
John Muir, the renowned naturalist and conservationist, led a life filled with exploration, discovery, and advocacy for the natural world. His journey from Scotland to becoming a key figure in American environmentalism is marked by significant events and achievements. Below is a detailed timeline of his life:
Early Years and Education
- 1838: April 21, John Muir born in Dunbar, Scotland.
- 1841: Began school at the age of three.
- 1849: Immigrated to Wisconsin at the age of 11.
Early Career and Adventures
- 1860: Left home to exhibit his inventions at the State Agriculture Fair in Madison, Wisconsin; took on brief jobs and enrolled at the University of Wisconsin.
- 1861-1862: Attended the University of Wisconsin for 2-1/2 years, taught school during the winter, and formed a friendship with the Carrs.
- 1863: Left the University; embarked on a foot tour of Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Canada.
- 1866: Moved to Indianapolis and worked for a manufacturer of carriage parts.
- 1867: Suffered an eye injury and began a 1000-mile walk to Florida, then to Cuba.
- 1868: Traveled to California; landed in San Francisco on March 28 and walked across the valley; worked at the ranch of Pat Delaney.
- 1869: Spent the summer as a sheepherder in the high Sierra; returned to live in Yosemite, working for Hutchings and operating a sawmill; began exploring for signs of glaciers.
- 1871: Met Ralph Waldo Emerson in Yosemite.
- 1872: Began publishing articles in leading magazines.
Middle Years and Major Achievements
- 1873: Ended continuous residence in Yosemite.
- 1874: Met the Strentzel family in Alhambra Valley.
- 1875: Lived in the Bay Area, writing magazine articles; took trips to the mountains and Utah.
- 1879: Proposed to Louie Strentzel; made his first trip to Alaska with S. Hall Young and discovered Glacier Bay and Muir Glacier.
- 1880: April 14, married Louie Wanda Strentzel; made his second trip to Alaska and had an adventure with Stickeen.
- 1881: John Swett bought a ranch adjoining Muir's holdings. Birth of Wanda Muir; made his third trip to Alaska aboard the Corwin.
- 1880-1882: Oversaw the construction of the mansion.
- 1882: Began an extensive period of ranching.
- 1886: Birth of Helen Muir.
- 1888: Traveled to Mt. Rainier; served as editor and contributor to Picturesque California, a two-volume work.
- 1890: Traveled to Muir Glacier in Alaska; Dr. Strentzel passed away; the Muir family moved into the mansion.
- 1890: Yosemite became a National Park.
- 1892: Founded the Sierra Club, marking the end of his ranching career.
- 1893: Traveled to Europe with William Keith.
- 1894: Published Mountains of California.
Later Years and Legacy
- 1899: Mt. Rainier National Park established; participated in the Harriman Alaska Expedition.
- 1901: Published Our National Parks.
- 1903: Hosted President Theodore Roosevelt in Yosemite.
- 1904: Embarked on a world tour.
- 1905: Helen became ill and went to Adamana, Arizona, for recovery; Louie Strentzel Muir died on August 6.
- 1906: San Francisco earthquake, repaired the house, Wanda married Thomas Hanna. Petrified Forest became a national monument.
- 1907: Fought to save Hetch-Hetchy Valley.
- 1908: Grand Canyon National Park and Muir Woods National Monument established.
- 1909: Published Stickeen, his only children's story.
- 1910: Helen married Buel Funk.
- 1911: Published My First Summer in the Sierra.
- 1911-1912: At age 73, traveled to South America and Africa.
- 1912: Published The Yosemite.
- 1913: Published The Story of My Boyhood and Youth.
