Olmstead was an amazing man. As you are aware, he had a massive influence on the American parks system, and I’m suresomeone can answer your question and provide good books about him. But he is so well remembered for designing parks that he is forgotten as a wonderful author. Simply look for books that he published about the American Parks.

But addition you may be interested to read one of his two other side projects. Before the Cuvil War, A Northern newspaper employed him to travel around the South and observe Southern society and in particular the situation with slavery and its economic implications. He travelled for months and interviewed hundreds of Southerners and had a photographic sort of memory and recorded these observations in three books. They were later condensed and compiled into a fascinating book called “The Cotton Kingdom”.

Then the Civil War came and Olmstead worked to lead the Sanitary Commission which was effectively their medical arm. He wrote a book about part of that experience, “Hospital Transports”.

Amazing man. Yes, I do wonder a bit why men like this are forgotten and others are remembered.