John McPhee (b. 1931­) is a famous American author and journalist, celebrated for his contributions to the genre of creative nonfiction. Born in Princeton, New Jersey, McPhee graduated from Princeton University and has been a contributor to The New Yorker since 1965. During his distinguished career spanning over 60 years, he has been recognized for his immersive storytelling, which brings complex topics to a broad audience. McPhee’s work often focuses on the environment, geology, and the interaction between human activities and the natural world.

McPhee’s writing is rooted in research, which he combines with literary elements. He won the Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction in 1999 for Annals of the Former World, an in-depth exploration of North American geology. In Encounters with the Archdruid, McPhee focuses on the figure of David Brower, whom he depicts in different situations, such as connecting with nature directly and having ideological clashes with several interlocutors.

David Brower (1912–2000) was a pivotal figure in the US environmental movement, renowned for his dedication and effective leadership of numerous conservation initiatives. Born in Berkeley, California, Brower developed an early appreciation for nature that evolved into a lifelong commitment to environmental preservation.