William Gladstone Steel was an American journalist and advocate whose life and career were deeply intertwined with the preservation of the American wilderness. Born in Ohio in 1854, Steel initially established himself in the newspaper industry, working in journalism before transitioning to a career as a mail carrier. His professional background in communication and public outreach would later prove instrumental in his efforts as a conservationist.
Steel is most widely recognized for his dedicated, seventeen-year campaign to secure federal protection for Crater Lake. Through persistent advocacy and public engagement, he successfully lobbied the United States Congress to designate the area as a National Park, cementing his legacy in early American conservation history. He passed away in 1934.
