American naturalist and essayist, John Burroughs was a key factor to the evolution of the U.S. conservation movement. Many believe that he was the most important practitioner equal to Thoreau of the American
genre, the nature essay.
Called a literary naturalist—
with a duty to record his own unique perceptions
of the natural world, John Burroughs was a native of the New York Catskills. One of his classmates, Jay Gould, would become a famously wealthy railroad
tycoon.
A close friend of Walt Whitman, who continued to encourage Burroughs to continue to develop his
nature writing as well as his philosophical and literary
essays. Many of his early essays first appeared in popular magazines.
Burroughs is best known for his observations on birds, flowers and rural
scenes but often extend to religion and literature. This special brand of philosophy can be seen in many of his most renowned quotes:
"A somebody was once a nobody who wanted to, and did.”
“Blessed is the man who has some congenial work, some occupation in which he can put his heart, and which affords a complete outlet to all the forces there are in him.”
“Leap, and the net will appear”
“The smallest deed is better than the greatest intention.”
“How beautiful the leaves grow old. How full of light and color are their last days.”