John Norman Maclean (minister)

John Norman Maclean (1862-1941) was a Presbyterian minister and the father of Norman Maclean, author of the acclaimed novella A River Runs Through It. Born in Nova Scotia, Canada, he received his theological education and was ordained a Presbyterian minister.

Maclean served as a minister in various parishes throughout Montana and Idaho. He was known for his devout faith, his adherence to a strict moral code, and his powerful sermons delivered with eloquence and conviction. He emphasized the importance of personal responsibility, self-reliance, and a deep connection with nature.

In A River Runs Through It, Norman Maclean portrays his father as a figure of profound influence, both admired and somewhat enigmatic. The elder Maclean instilled in his sons a love of fly fishing, the natural world, and a respect for the beauty and power of language. His teachings on grace, faith, and the interconnectedness of all things permeate the narrative.

While details of his life beyond his portrayal in his son's writing are somewhat limited in publicly available sources, it is clear that John Norman Maclean played a significant role in shaping the intellectual and spiritual development of his children, particularly Norman. He remains a figure of enduring interest, largely due to his depiction in A River Runs Through It and the enduring legacy of that work.