John Muir was born on April 21, 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland, to Daniel & Ann Gilrye Muir, John was the third oldest of seven children. John's father believed in corporal punishment, John and his siblings were punished for any disobedience no matter how minor. His father was also very religious. Muir did not have a good relationship with his father. He received more understanding from his mother. His grandfather David Gilrye introduced John to the outdoors of Scotland. He and his grandfather would take long walks though the woods, farms and gardens of Dunbar. From a very young age, he showed an interest in nature. John was very close to his brother David. They would explore and get into trouble together; John would usually accept the punishment for any trouble they go into. He was very protective of David and of his other siblings.
             Muir started primary school when he was only three. He showed a great aptitude for reading, although overall he was very intelligent. He enjoyed reading about nature and animals. After 11 years old he received no formal education, he taught himself mathematics, geometry and philosophy. He greatly enjoyed reading literature and poetry.
             When Muir was 11, his father decided to move the family to America. He set off for America with John and two of John's older siblings. His father, when they finally arrived to America set about finding land that they could settle on. He bought an 80-acre tract in Fountain Lake, Wisconsin. He sent for his wife and the rest of the children. John would wake at 6 a.m. and go to bed at 9 p.m., during this time he was worked very hard by his father. Although worked hard by their father, John and his brother David would find time to explore the wilderness around their farm. From the age of 11 until he left home at 22 his father used him and his brother as unpaid farm laborers.
             Muir was an amateur inventor; he constructed clocks, barometers, tab...