Landscape architecture has been around since the beginning of time, but it wasn't until the arrival of Frederick Law Olmsted that the idea of ​​integrating design into the landscape with plants, water and structures took hold transformed into a thriving profession. To many, Olmsted is considered “a pioneer in the profession of landscape architecture, an urban planner and social philosopher, an early theorist and activist behind the national park and conservation movements” (Kalfus 1). Growing up, he never graduated from formal school and only took a few classes while at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut. Instead, he acquired his education by being in the world through travel and reading. He had a difficult childhood. His mother died when he was only four years old and during his world travels in Europe and China he became ill with seasickness, paralysis of the arm, typhoid fever, apoplexy, sumac poisoning and sometimes suffered from depression. For many years he embarked on a journey within himself to discover who he really was and what he wanted to do with his life, professionally. Frederick had a brother, John Hull, who died in 1857. This left Olmsted feeling empty and not knowing what to do. That's when Calvert Vaux arrived and filled the space in Olmsted's life that his brother had left. Vaux convinced Olmsted to enter the Central Park Commissioner's design competition with their design entitled "Greensward Plan". With the success of that project, Olmsted realized what he wanted to do for the rest of his life, which was to become a landscape architect. Olmsted practiced from 1857 until his retirement in 1895. Olmsted's two sons, his adopted son John Charles and his biological son Frederick La...... middle of paper ......an, Matt. “Ten Design Lessons from Frederick Law Olmsted, the Father of American Landscape Architecture.” Signal versus noise. 37signali, 23 May 2011. Web. 04 December 2013.olmsted-the-father-of-american-landscape-architecture>.Simpson, Jeffrey. Olmsted's Landscape Art: His Works in New York City. Ed. Mary Ellen W. Hern. New York, NY: New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission and The Arts Publishers, Inc., 1981. Print.The United States Capitol Grounds. Washington, DC: National Parks Association Olmsted. Network. November 25, 2013. "Chronology". Olmsted online. National Parks Association Olmsted. Network. November 20.2013. .