James Larkin White was an American cowboy, guano miner, cave explorer, and park ranger who is best remembered for his historic association with Carlsbad Caverns. Born in 1882, White's life and career were defined by his landmark discovery of the massive cave system located in what is now Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico.
As an early explorer of the caverns, White was instrumental in promoting the site to the wider public. His efforts to document and share his findings helped establish the significance of the caverns, leading to his later role as a park ranger for the National Park Service. Through his work as both an explorer and a ranger, White played a foundational role in the history and preservation of one of America's most famous natural landmarks.
