Our Friend John Burroughs

In Short

This book offers an intimate look at the life and philosophy of John Burroughs, one of America’s most beloved nature writers. Through a blend of biographical sketches, personal correspondence, and observational essays, the author paints a vivid portrait of a man who found profound meaning in the simple, rural life. Spanning his humble childhood on a farm to his later years as an esteemed observer of the outdoors, the text illustrates why Burroughs’s work has endured: his ability to translate the freshness of the natural world into timeless, clear-eyed prose.

The Story

The narrative follows the arc of a life defined by an "instinct for the simple life." Born in 1837 into a farming family in the Catskills, Burroughs grows up with an observant, dreamy nature, marked by an early interest in the habits of birds and the rhythms of the seasons. His youth is spent in the steady labor of the farm—plowing fields, tapping maple trees for syrup, and hauling water—experiences that later form the bedrock of his literary career. Even as a young man, he feels a persistent pull toward the written word, spending his hard-earned money at second-hand bookstalls in New York and poring over the classics.

As he matures, Burroughs moves from the isolated farm to the wider world of letters, where he earns the admiration of figures like Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman. The book details these pivotal friendships, describing how the young Burroughs sought out the sage of Concord and found in him a mentor who encouraged his literary aspirations. Despite his growing fame and his travels—including a memorable, often humorous camping trip with the naturalist John Muir to the Grand Canyon—Burroughs never loses his essential, rustic character. He remains deeply attached to his ancestral home, eventually settling into a routine of writing and gardening at his cabin, "Slabsides," and later at "Woodchuck Lodge."

The latter portion of the book focuses on his life as an elder statesman of nature writing. He balances his roles as a public figure and a private individual who finds joy in the daily tasks of living—tending his garden, playing with his grandchildren, and watching the birds return each spring. He rejects the artifice of city life, arguing that true health comes from clear, simple habits and a daily connection to the outdoors. The story concludes with a reflection on his enduring legacy, emphasizing that his greatest gift was not just his writing, but the way he invited his readers to share in his own sense of wonder, teaching them to look at a bluebird or a mountain stream with the same fresh eyes he possessed at the end of his long, contented life.

How It Unfolds

The early years The narrative begins with a look at Burroughs's ancestry and childhood, highlighting his dreamy, nature-loving temperament. We see him as a young boy, captivated by the sight of birds and the seasonal changes on his family's farm.

The path to literature The focus shifts to his early struggles as a writer, marked by his persistent curiosity and his long days of labor. He recounts his early fascination with second-hand books and the formative influence of reading the great authors of the past.

Mentorship and discovery The book explores his transformative meeting with Ralph Waldo Emerson, describing the awe he felt when walking and talking with his hero. These chapters capture the excitement of a young man finding his place within a larger intellectual tradition.

Life at Slabsides The narrative settles into the routine of his later years, detailing his daily life in his cabin retreat. Readers see him as a man of habits, tending his garden and hosting friends with a mix of warmth and sharp, independent wit.

The camping expedition A lively account is provided of his journey with John Muir, which serves as a testament to his continued vigor in old age. The tension between the two naturalists—one who prefers to climb and the other who prefers to linger—adds a human touch to their shared scientific awe.

A final appreciation The book closes by reflecting on the impact of his work, which brought the "savor of the wild" to a wide audience. It emphasizes how he managed to maintain his youthful spirit and simple joys until the very end.

The People

John Burroughs stands at the center of the book as the "friend" to all his readers. He is a man of contradictions: a published author who prefers the company of woodchucks to that of socialites, and an elderly man who retains the curiosity of a boy. He seeks only a "sane, normal, healthy life," yet he finds himself a public figure, constantly having to balance his solitude with the demands of his admirers.

Ralph Waldo Emerson serves as the primary inspiration for Burroughs. To the young naturalist, Emerson is a "godlike" figure, a man whose presence and mind represent the height of American thought. Their interactions, though brief, leave a lasting mark on Burroughs’s own approach to writing.

John Muir appears as a foil to Burroughs during their travels. While they share a deep love for the natural world, Muir is the restless, demanding explorer who insists on climbing ever higher, while Burroughs is the contemplative observer, often trying to rein in his companion’s intensity. Their relationship highlights the different ways one can engage with the landscape.

Finally, Burroughs’s family members, particularly his brother Eden and his sister Jane, provide a grounding influence. They represent the world he left behind but never truly abandoned—a world of farm labor, simple talk, and traditional ways that keep his feet firmly planted on the ground even as his mind wanders through the fields of literature.

In Its Own Voice

"I am still a boy at heart, and enjoy almost everything that boys do, except making a racket."

(Burroughs shares his secret for remaining young in age, emphasizing his simple, active lifestyle.)

"The look of those farms impressed me as the fields of England impressed Mr. Burroughs--'as though upon them had settled an atmosphere of ripe and loving husbandry.'"

(The narrator describes the pastoral landscape that Burroughs loved so deeply, illustrating his connection to the land.)

"I have aimed to live a sane, normal, healthy life; or, rather, I have an instinct for such a life."

(Reflecting on his philosophy, Burroughs explains why he prefers the simple, country life over the artificiality of the city.)

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is a meditation on the value of a "simple life" as the antidote to the anxieties of the modern world. It argues that true wisdom is not found in complex theories or urban sophistication, but in the patient, firsthand observation of nature. It poses the question of how a person can remain both connected to their origins and intellectually engaged with their peers. Through Burroughs’s life, the book asserts that there is a "dynamic gift" in being able to see the world with clarity and innocence, and that this perspective is something one must cultivate through discipline and a genuine, daily love for the earth.

Why Read It Today

Readers who find comfort in the essays of Thoreau or who enjoy quiet, reflective biographies will find a kindred spirit in this book. It offers a rare, slow-paced reading experience that feels like sitting by a fire with a companion who has spent his life watching the birds and thinking about the world. For those interested in the history of American nature writing, it provides an invaluable window into the life of a seminal figure who helped define how we view the outdoors today.

Be prepared for the cadence of early 20th-century prose, which can be expansive and sentimental, reflecting the author’s deep personal admiration for her subject. Some readers may find the inclusion of family anecdotes or the specific details of farm life in the 1840s to be slow-moving, but these sections are essential to understanding the person behind the essays. Ultimately, this is a book for anyone who wants to rediscover the "bloom on the grape" and the joy of a clear, unhurried morning. It is a heartfelt reminder that, regardless of the era, the ability to find wonder in the familiar remains one of the most rewarding ways to live.