The Story of My Boyhood and Youth.

MUIR, John.

Item Number: 114914

Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 1913.

First edition, first issue with biting criticism of his neighbor’s treatment of his son on p. 217: “…none was bold enough or kind enough to break the blacksmith’s jaw” (Kimes 315) of Muir’s autobiography of his youth. Octavo, original illustrated cloth, gilt titles and tooling to the spine and front panel. Frontispiece portrait of Muir with tissue guard, illustrated. In near fine condition. An exceptional example.

John Muir was an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States. His letters, essays, and books describing his adventures in nature, especially in the Sierra Nevada, have been read by millions. His activism has helped to preserve the Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park and many other wilderness areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is a prominent American conservation organization. The 211-mile John Muir Trail, a hiking trail in the Sierra Nevada, was named in his honor. Other such places include Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, John Muir College, Mount Muir, Camp Muir and Muir Glacier. In Scotland, the John Muir Way, a 130-mile-long route, was named in honor of him. In his later life, Muir devoted most of his time to the preservation of the Western forests. He petitioned the U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite National Park. The spiritual quality and enthusiasm toward nature expressed in his writings has inspired readers, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to help preserve large nature areas. Today Muir is referred to as the "Father of the National Parks."