1900-1920

14.) John Muir was born on April 21, 1838 and was a Scottish-born American. He was a naturalist, author, and advocate of conservation of the wilderness. He walked a thousand miles, from Indiana to Florida, and then wrote a book about his adventures called, "A Thousand Mile Walk to the Gulf." He planned to continue on to South America, but was stricken with malaria and went to California instead. His books telling about his adventures in the wildlife have been read by millions and are still popular today. His writings and philosophy influenced the formation of the modern enviromental movement. His activism helped save the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park, and other wilderness areas. He founded the Sierra Club, which is now one of the most important conservations in the U.S. Yosemite Valley was his inspiration. He said that "No temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite," and "Yosemite is the grandest of all special temples of Nature."

John Muir appears on the California quarter.