Muir and the Bairns

Feather River Inn

This paper is a study of John Muir's relationships with children. Muir had a soft-heart for children and was known to share his appreciation of nature with children, give small gifts, tell stories, and lend a friendly ear to the children in his life. His letters indicate an on-going interest and concern for children throughout his lifetime. This paper will explore Muir's own upbringing which brought a sensitivity to the disenfranchised of the nineteenth century women, children, and animals. Excerpts from Muir's correspondence will provide examples illustrating Muir's relationships with children.