Adolf Engler

Botanist, Academic

1844 – 1930

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Who was Adolf Engler?

Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler was a German botanist. He is notable for his work on plant taxonomy and phytogeography, such as Die natürlichen Pflanzenfamilien, edited with Karl A. E. von Prantl.

Even now, his system of plant classification, the Engler system, is still used by many herbaria and is followed by writers of many manuals and floras. It is still the only system that treats all 'plants' in such depth.

Engler published a prodigious number of taxonomic works. He used various artists to illustrate his books, notably Joseph Pohl, an illustrator who had served an apprenticeship as a wood-engraver. Pohl's skill drew Engler's attention, starting a collaboration of some 40 years. Pohl produced more than 33 000 drawings in 6 000 plates for Die naturlichen Pflanzenfamilien. He also illustrated Das Pflanzenreich, Die Pflanzenwelt Afrikas, Monographien afrikanischer Pflanzenfamilien and the journals Engler's botanische Jahrbücher.

He received the Linnean Medal in 1913. The International Association for Plant Taxonomy established the Engler Medal in his honour in 1986, to be awarded for outstanding contributions to plant taxonomy.

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Born
Mar 25, 1844
Żagań
Also known as
  • Heinrich Gustav Adolf Engler
Nationality
  • Germany
Profession
Education
  • Wrocław University
Employment
  • Humboldt University of Berlin
  • University of Kiel
Died
Oct 10, 1930
Berlin

Submitted
on July 23, 2013

Citation

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