This Day in History: 1902-02-20

Ansel Adams, American photographer and environmentalist, is born on this day in 1902. Adams’ pictures of western landscapes, especially Yosemite Park, helped with conservation efforts during the 1930s – 1960s. He said: “Yosemite Valley, to me, is always a sunrise, a glitter of green and golden wonder in a vast edifice of stone and space. I know of no sculpture, painting or music that exceeds the compelling spiritual command of the soaring shape of granite cliff and dome, of patina of light on rock and forest, and of the thunder and whispering of the falling, flowing waters. At first the colossal aspect may dominate; then we perceive and respond to the delicate and persuasive complex of nature.”