Stephen Mather (1867 - 1930) was a pioneering American industrialist and conservationist. He was the president and owner of the Thorkildsen-Mather Borax Company, which made him a millionaire, and he became the first director of the National Park Service. He felt that the scenery should be the first criterion in establishing a park. He introduced park concessions to the national parks system, allowing vending of basic amenities and necessities to park visitors, including nature study aids.
External link
The National Park Service Biography (http://www.cr.nps.gov/history/online_books/sontag/mather.htm)
Mather was able to capitalize on these trends in his marketing efforts at the Thorkildsen-Mather Borax Company, which made him a millionaire, and in his public life as the first director of the National Park Service.
Mather recognized magnificent scenery as the primary criterion for establishment of national parks.
Mather was the first park professional to clearly articulate the policy which allowed the establishment of park concessioners to provide basic visitor comforts and services in the then undeveloped parks.
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