True Bear Stories

Cincinnatus Heine Miller, better known by his pen name Joaquin Miller, was an American poet, author, and frontiersman. Born on September 8, 1837, in Union County, Indiana, he is often called the "Poet of the Sierras" for his vivid portrayal of the Sierra Nevada in his work Songs of the Sierras. Miller s early life was marked by adventurous pursuits, including his involvement in the California Gold Rush, where he worked as a prospector. His time in the West greatly influenced his literary style, which celebrated nature and frontier life. Throughout his career, he became known for his rugged individualism and his works that captured the spirit of the American wilderness. Miller also worked as a journalist and served as a correspondent during the Civil War. In his later years, he became a prominent figure in literary and social circles, and his public persona was intertwined with his image as a frontiersman. He passed away on February 17, 1913, in Oakland, California, and was laid to rest in Joaquin Miller Park. He had one child, Juanita Joaquina Miller.