Preserving the Living Past

"Steven Mark is to be congratulated for capturing the essence of Merriam and that original America, the one that in giving rise to conservation believed in parks as the nation’s soul."—Alfred Runte, author of National Parks "Merriam’s role in the evolution of early 20th Century American conservation thinking is not as well understood as it should be."—Keir B. Sterling, Senior Editor of the Biographical Dictionary "We need to hear and heed John C. Merriam's voice, calling for education, inspiration, and spiritual contact to be paramount in the administration of our natural preserves."—Michael Frome, author of Battle for the Wilderness From his efforts to protect California's wild lands - including the state's majestic redwoods and its dynamic coastline - to his novel ideas about the educational and inspirational value of wilderness that continue to provoke debates to this day, this first biography of John C. Merriam (1869-1945) tells the story of the prominent paleontologist who became a visionary in the American conservation movement.