Stephen Mather
Businessman NaturalistNational Park Service Director
Stephen Mather Rank
About Stephen Mather
Stephen Mather, born Stephen Tyng Mather, was a highly wealthy and influential American industrialist and conservationist. He is widely remembered for his outstanding and pioneering works at the "National Park Service (NPS)," which have helped preserve the service for many decades.
Background & Career Highlights
He attended Lowell High School and was an alumnus of the "University of California at Berkeley." He reported for the "New York Sun" in the 1890s and later joined the "Pacific Coast Borax Company" as a sales manager. While working at Borax, he branded the company's products as "20 Mule Team Borax" and creatively generated publicity which boosted sales. He later established another Borax company, "Thorkildsen-Mather Borax Company." By 1914, he had become a millionaire.
Contributions to "NPS"
In the 1910s, he collaborated with American journalist Robert Sterling Yard in leading a publicity campaign that promoted the establishment of a unified federal organization to oversee the administration of National Parks. As a result, he was appointed to head the new agency, "NPS," in 1917, serving until 1929. During his administration, he made NPS one of the most professional civil service agencies, developed many national parks and monuments, and set standardized criteria for incorporating new assets into the federal system.
Cause of Death
The conservationist died from complications of a stroke at age 62 in January of 1930.
Stephen Mather Rank
F.A.Q. about Stephen Mather
When is his birthday?
Stephen Mather's birthday is on July 4, 1867.
In how many days is his birthday?
Stephen's birthday is in 70 days
How old was Stephen when he died?
He was 62 years old.
When did he die?
He died in January 22, 1930.
How old would he be today?
Stephen Mather would be 156 years old if he was alive today.
Where was Stephen from?
He was born in San Francisco, California, U.S..