Born near Kansas City, Kansas, 1870. Self-educated. Worked on a ranch fourteen years. Foreman in a mine. Went to the Rocky Mountains early in life. Built a home on Long’s Peak, Colorado, 1886. Has explored the Rocky Mountains extensively, alone, on foot, and without firearms. Colorado “snow observer” for Government, 1907, 1908.
Mr. Mills has done valuable work for the protection of wild animals and flowers and for the establishment of national parks. His work belongs with that of Thoreau, Burroughs, and Muir (by whom he was influenced to continue it) for its freshly observed Nature content.
Among his best-known books are, perhaps, The Story of a Thousand Year Pine, 1914, and The Story of Scotch, 1916 (dog story).
For complete bibliography, see Who’s Who in America.
Studies and Reviews
- Bookm. 51 (’20): 103.
- Lit. Digest, 55 (’17): July 14, p. 44.
- Sunset, 38 (’17): 40 (portrait).
Bibliography
- Helena’s Husband. 1916.
- Madame Sand; a Biographical Comedy. 1917.
- Five Somewhat Historical Plays. 1918. (Helena’s Husband; A Road-house in Arden; Sisters of Susannah; The Little Supper; Pokey.) (Burlesques.)
- Two Blind Beggars and One Less Blind; a Tragic Comedy in One Act. 1918.
- Molière; a Romantic Play in Three Acts. 1919.
- Sophie, a Comedy. 1919. (Prologue by Carl Van Vechten.)