<Tr> <Th> Children </Th> <Td> </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Signature </Th> </Tr> <P> John Muir (/ mjʊər /; April 21, 1838--December 24, 1914) also known as "John of the Mountains" and "Father of the National Parks", was an influential Scottish - American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, glaciologist 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 co-founded, is a prominent American conservation organization . The 211 - mile (340 km) 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, Muir Grove, and Muir Glacier . In Scotland, the John Muir Way, a 130 - mile - long route, was named in honor of him . </P> <P> In his later life, Muir devoted most of his time to the preservation of the Western forests . As part of the campaign to make Yosemite a national park, Muir published two landmark articles on wilderness preservation in The Century Magazine, "The Treasures of the Yosemite" and "Features of the Proposed Yosemite National Park"; this helped support the push for U.S. Congress to pass a bill 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 . </P>

Which preservationist was instrumental in establishing a national park to protect yosemite valley