Arthur Harry Church facts for kids
Arthur Harry Church (born March 28, 1865 – died April 24, 1937) was a British botanist and a great artist who drew plants. He was also one of the first people to take photos as a hobby. From 1908 until he retired in 1930, he taught botany at Oxford University. He was famous for his amazing lectures that inspired many students.
About His Life
Arthur Harry Church was born in Plymouth, England. His father was a saddler, someone who makes and repairs saddles for horses. Arthur went to school in his hometown. For a short time, he taught at Ashburton Grammar School.
In 1887, his mother passed away. He used the money he inherited, £100, to go to University College of Wales, Aberystwyth. He earned his first degree in Botany from the University of London. In 1891, he won a scholarship to Jesus College, Oxford. He then earned a top-grade degree in botany from Oxford in 1894.
From 1908 to 1912, he was a research fellow at Jesus College. This meant he did special research there. He also taught botany at Oxford University from 1910 to 1930. In 1921, he became a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very important group for scientists in the UK.
Church was very interested in how plants grow and are put together. He studied phyllotaxy, which is the way leaves and other parts are arranged on a plant stem. He also studied how flowers develop and the tiny, one-celled plants that live in the sea.
He was a fantastic artist and photographer. He often drew pictures for his own books and papers. He was also very good at preparing tiny plant samples to look at under a microscope. Most of all, he was known for his inspiring lessons. Even though he didn't publish many books, his teaching made a big difference.
Arthur Harry Church married Emma Palmer Pratt from Aberystwyth. They had three daughters. Each daughter was given a special middle name. This name was chosen from a plant that was flowering when she was born.
- Audrey Althea (Althea is another name for hollyhock)
- Rosemary Doronica (Doronica comes from the plant Doronicum orientale)
- Grace Coryla (Coryla comes from the hazel tree)
