Valuing the Alaskan Wilderness: The 19th Century Writings of John Muir and W.H. Dall

Authors

Cecilia Slane, DePauw University
Brown

Files

Document Type

Abstract

Publication Date

10-2-2019

Abstract

In the late 19th century, American conservation began to separate into two ideological approaches: scientific and spiritual. Two prominent naturalists, William Healey Dall and John Muir, who both expressed deep admiration for the land they explored during scientific expeditions and personal pilgrimages exemplify the origins of this division. In this project, I am researching how Dall and Muir experienced, valued, and described the Alaskan environment through public essays and personal journals. Using Muir and Dall as key figures, I am investigating how personal motivations inspired their valuing the land as a “wilderness,” a pristine place antithetical to civilization.

Project Mentor

Dr. Bathsheba Demuth

Funding and Acknowledgements

Funding: Institute at Brown for Environment and Society

Recommended Citation

Slane, Cecilia and Brown, "Valuing the Alaskan Wilderness: The 19th Century Writings of John Muir and W.H. Dall" (2019). Annual Student Research Poster Session. 186.
https://scholarship.depauw.edu/srfposters/186