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Olmsted, Frederick Law

landscape architect, author, was born April 26, 1822, in Hartford, Conn. He received a liberal education and studied under private tutors. He has attained prominence as a landscape architect; has been president of the board of park commissioners of New York city; and commissioner of Yosemite Valley. In 1850 he made a pedestrian tour through Great Britain and parts of continental Europe for the purpose of observing closely the agricultural and ornamental grounds of the various countries. He is the author of Walks and Talks of An American Farmer in England; A Journey Through Texas; A Journey in the Back Country; and other works. He has filled numerous public positions of trust; in 1861 was appointed a member of the commission of inquiry and advice in regard to the sanitary condition of the United States forces. He was active in the founding of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and of the American Museum of Natural History. In 1872 he was appointed president of the department of public parks in New York. Since 1886 he has been largely occupied in laying out an extensive system of parks and parkways for the city of Boston.