John Burroughs (April 3, 1837 - March 29, 1921)

As naturalist and writer, John Burroughs worked alongside his contemporaries in the burgeoning conservation movement of the late 19^th and early 20^th century. Burroughs’ writings were that of a literary naturalist, working to capture and parse the elegance of the world that surrounded him. His writings sought to share the sights and sensations of the world he loved so dearly. Maintaining correspondence with prominent individuals from Walt Whitman to Theodore Roosevelt, Burroughs expanded his personal sphere outside of his home in the Catskills. As the nation began to grapple with ideas of preservation, eventually manifesting in the National Parks movement, Burroughs worked to encapsulate the importance of nature’s beauty.