Which notable figure was the first superintendent of Yellowstone National Park?

Nathanial Langford served as the first superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. He played a crucial role in the establishment and early management of the park after it was designated as the first national park in the United States on March 1, 1872. Langford's contributions included overseeing the protection of the park's natural resources and promoting its significance as a site for public enjoyment and conservation. His leadership helped to shape the park's administration during its formative years.

The other figures listed, while significant in the context of conservation and environmentalism, were not directly involved in the establishment of Yellowstone as its superintendent. Smokey Bear is a symbol of wildfire prevention and was created much later, John Muir was a prominent naturalist and advocate for the preservation of wilderness, and Gifford Pinchot was the first Chief of the United States Forest Service and a proponent of sustainable forest management, but none held the position of superintendent at Yellowstone. This context highlights why Langford is recognized as the notable figure in this specific role.