John Muir at The East Lothian Museum Collection, Scotland

myminifactory

John Muir was a Scottish-American naturalist, author, and early advocate for preserving wilderness in the United States. His writings about his adventures in nature, particularly in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, have been widely read by millions. Through his activism, he played a crucial role in protecting Yosemite Valley, Sequoia National Park, and other wild areas. The Sierra Club, which he founded, is a prominent American conservation organization that continues to work towards preserving the natural world. The 211-mile John Muir Trail, located in the Sierra Nevada mountains, was named in his honor as a testament to his dedication to environmental conservation. Other places bearing his name include Muir Woods National Monument, Muir Beach, John Muir College, Mount Muir, Camp Muir, and Muir Glacier. In his later years, Muir focused on preserving Western forests. He petitioned the U.S. Congress for a national park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks. His writings inspired readers, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to protect large natural areas. Today, he is known as the "Father of the National Parks" and the National Park Service has produced a documentary about his life. This bronze bust, placed on a granite plinth with a title plaque, bears Muir's likeness and dates of birth and death: JOHN MUIR 1838-1914. The back features an inscription from sculptor RR Hampton III: 1985. The bust is currently on display at John Muir's Birthplace in Dunbar, Scotland, awaiting re-development and re-opening in 2002. It is owned by East Lothian Museums Service. John Muir was adopted as 'Man of the Millennium' by East Lothian Council to commemorate the year 2000. The photograph of this bust was provided courtesy of the East Lothian Museums Service. This object is part of "Scan The World", a non-profit initiative led by MyMiniFactory that aims to create a digital archive of fully 3D printable sculptures, artworks, and landmarks from around the globe for public access. Scan The World is an open-source community effort, and individuals with interesting items can contribute by emailing stw@myminifactory.com. Many thanks are due to Javier for creating beautiful renders of this sculpture!