Richard Lieber
| Richard Lieber | |
|---|---|
| Born | September 5, 1869 Düsseldorf, Germany |
| Died | April 15, 1944 McCormick's Creek State Park |
| Occupation | Indiana State Parks Founder |
| Known for | Conservationist |
Richard Lieber (September 5, 1869 – April 15, 1944) was a German-American businessman who became the father of the Indiana state parks system. At his death, he could be considered the most powerful spokesman in the United States for the conservation of natural resources.
He was born into privilege in Düsseldorf, Germany, in 1869. As a young child he was largely tutored, due to having an illness following a chest injury. He was also frequently in trouble due to his free-spirited nature. He spent time in London, England, following his graduation from secondary education, due to his parents' wanting him to learn the English language. While there he spent much of his time going to various museums and historical places; his liberal allowance from his parents meant plenty of time to learn English and do sightseeing. After his time in London, as two of his paternal uncles were living in Indianapolis, Indiana, he decided to go to the Hoosier state in 1891. This was with his parents' blessing: they feared he was gaining socialism's attitudes from his time in London after a Christmas trip back to Düsseldorf. His first job in America was working as a reporter for the Indiana Tribune, eventually marrying Emma Rappaport, the daughter of the owner. After the sale of the paper, he started his own personal businesses. Liking the freedom he felt in America, he publicly forsook his German citizenship.
It was after a tour of Yosemite National Park in 1900 that he became a proponent of conservation. This was further increased by a month and a six-week tour of the Rocky Mountains of Idaho and Montana. He went as a delegate to a White House conference about conservation by Theodore Roosevelt. After meeting Roosevelt, he started a series of articles promoting conservation. Indianapolis being the site of the Fourth National Conservation Congress, with Lieber as chairman, certified his status as a major figure for conservation. It was there that Lieber met Woodrow Wilson, and from there they formed a partnership for American conservation.
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