John Burroughs (1837 - 1921) was an American naturalist important to the Conservation movement. He like Thoreau wrote essays on nature. Burroughs was the Grand Old Man of Nature when the American romance with nature and the American conservation movement had come fully into their own. He grew up on a farm in New York and at age 17 became a teacher. Burroughs wrote over 30 books and published hundreds of essays. Burroughs s first marriage was not a success and he later met Clara Barrus a physician. She was the love of his life and after his death became his literary executrix. In Squirrels and Other Fur-Bearers Burroughs discusses chipmunks woodchucks rabbits muskrats skunks foxes weasels mink raccoons porcupines opossums wild mice. And squirrels.