J. Smeaton (Joseph Smeaton) Chase

Born in England in 1864, Joseph Smeaton Chase later made his life in the United States and became closely identified with California. He is best remembered as an author, traveler, and photographer whose writing brought the state's landscapes to life for early 20th-century readers.

Chase wrote about California by going out into it. His travels through the coast, desert, and mountain country shaped books such as California Coast Trails and Yosemite Trails, works admired for their clear observation and love of place. He is especially associated with writing that helped define the spirit of California outdoor literature.

He died in 1923, but his work still appeals to readers who enjoy travel writing with a strong sense of landscape. His books offer more than route notes or description—they preserve the feeling of moving slowly through wild country and paying close attention to what is there.