John Muir was born in Scotland. In 1849 he emigrated with his family to the United States, where he later enrolled in courses in chemistry, geology, and botany at the University of Wisconsin. Muir made extended journeys throughout America, observing both scientifically and enthusiastically the beauties of the wilderness. He eventually settled in California, where he became an impassioned leader of the forest conservation movement and founder of the Sierra Club.
