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Marjory Stoneman Douglas: Champion of the Everglades

Frank Mitchell

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Published in Marjory Stoneman Douglas And The Florida Everglades (Pineapple Press Biography)

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Marjory Stoneman Douglas was a pioneering conservationist and author whose tireless efforts helped to save the Florida Everglades. Born in 1890, she grew up in a time when the Everglades were still largely unexplored and undeveloped. But Douglas saw the unique beauty and importance of this vast wilderness, and she dedicated her life to protecting it.

In 1947, Douglas published The Everglades: River of Grass, a groundbreaking book that introduced the Everglades to the world. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to raise awareness of the importance of the Everglades and the need to protect it from development.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas and the Florida Everglades (Pineapple Press Biography)

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Language	:	English
File size	:	2059 KB
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Print length	:	72 pages

Douglas's work continued to have a major impact on the Everglades. In 1969, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Everglades National Park. The park is now one of the most important protected areas in the United States, and it is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including alligators, crocodiles, birds, and fish.

Douglas's legacy continues to inspire conservationists today. Her work helped to save the Everglades, and her passion for the environment continues to inspire people around the world. She is a true pioneer, and her story is an inspiration to us all.

Early Life and Education

Marjory Stoneman Douglas was born on April 7, 1890, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Her father, Fred Stone, was a businessman and her mother, Alice Douglas, was a writer. Douglas had a close relationship with her mother, who instilled in her a love of nature and the outdoors.

Douglas attended Wellesley College, where she studied English and history. She graduated in 1912 and moved to Miami, Florida, with her family. Douglas quickly fell in love with the Florida Everglades, and she began to write articles about the region.

Conservation Career

In 1935, Douglas published Everglades: Land of Mystery, her first book about the Everglades. The book was a critical and commercial success, and it helped to raise awareness of the importance of the Everglades.

Douglas continued to write about the Everglades throughout her life. In 1947, she published The Everglades: River of Grass, her most famous book. The book is a lyrical and passionate ode to the Everglades, and it is considered to be one of the most important works of nature writing ever published.

Douglas's work helped to galvanize public support for the Everglades. In 1969, she was instrumental in the establishment of the Everglades National Park. The park is now one of the most important protected areas in the United States, and it is home to a diverse array of wildlife.

Douglas continued to work for the protection of the Everglades until her death in 1998. She was a tireless advocate for the environment, and her legacy continues to inspire conservationists today.

Personal Life

Douglas was married twice. Her first marriage, to Kenneth Douglas, ended in divorce. Her second marriage, to Fred Cooley, lasted until Cooley's death in 1973.

Douglas had no children. She dedicated her life to her work, and she never wavered in her commitment to protecting the Everglades.

Legacy

Marjory Stoneman Douglas is considered to be one of the most important conservationists of the 20th century. Her work helped to save the Everglades, and her passion for the environment continues to inspire people around the world.

Douglas's legacy is a reminder that one person can make a difference. She never gave up on her dream of protecting the Everglades, and her work has had a lasting impact on the world.