Robert MorisonDied 10 Nov 1683 (born 1620).Scottish botanist whose work, with his contemporary John Ray, served to elucidate and develop the systematic classification of plants. Whereas the seminal classification theories of Jean and Gaspard Bauhin used habit, inflorescence, and vegetative or medicinal qualities, in his book Praeludia botanica (1669) Morison stressed using only morphological features of the fruit of a plant. His lead was taken up by later botanists such as Carolus Linnaeus and Joseph de Tournefort. Earlier in his life, Morison spent his 30's in France as director of the Royal Gardens at Blois. Upon return to England, he became physician to Charles II and in charge of all royal gardens. He was the first regius professor of botany at the University of Oxford (1669-83).Image: crocus florens. |
