the john muir exhibit - writings - studies_in_the_sierra - preface
Studies in the Sierra
by John Muir
Preface
John Muir's "Studies in the Sierra," here brought together for the
first time in one volume, originally appeared in 1874 and 1875
as a
series of seven articles in the Overland Monthly, which
were later (1915 to 1921) reprinted in the Sierra Club Bulletin.
John Muir was the pioneer in recognizing the importance of glaciation
in the origin of Yosemite Valley. He was just 30 years of age when, with
his views, he challenged the opinions of eminent geologists who had
already advanced other theories for the origin of the valley which completely
ignored glaciation. It was not long before scientific men recognized
the correctness of most of Muir's conclusions. The importance of
glaciation in the formation of Yosemite Valley
has since been generally recognized, though there still exist
some differences of opinion about the
relative amount of stream erosion and glacial erosion which has been
involved.
The Sierra Club has reprinted these studies in a single volume with
a view to making them more widely known and emphasizing, somewhat
belatedly, the important contributions which John Muir made to the
problem of the origin of Yosemite Valley. It was unfortunate for his
fame that John Muir did not, immediately following the appearance of
these articles in the Overland Monthly, do this himself.
With the passing of years these studies have become increasingly
unavailable and, on this account, have not been as widely read as they
merit; nor has the full
credit that was Muir's due always been given him.
The underlying facts which John Muir so painstakingly gathered and
his cogent reasoning based on these observed facts are just as
valuable and pertinent today as they were when these studies were
first written. This volume will, therefore, prove of present interest
to all those who wish to learn more about the origin of Yosemite
Valley and its geologic features, as well as to those many who may
wish to understand better the extraordinary, many-faceted
figure of John Muir himself.
William E. Colby
Berkeley, California
September 25, 1949
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