Edmund Davall facts for kids

Edmund Davall (born November 24, 1762, in London, died September 26, 1798, in Orbe) was a famous botanist. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. He was from both England and Switzerland.

About Edmund Davall

Edmund Davall was born in England. His parents, Edmund Davall and Charlotte Thomasset, were originally from Switzerland. After his father passed away in 1788, Edmund moved to Switzerland with his mother. They settled in a town called Orbe, in the Canton de Vaud region.

His Life and Discoveries

When Edmund arrived in Orbe, he created his very own botanical garden. He loved taking care of it himself. In 1787, he worked with another scientist, Albrecht von Haller. Together, they discovered many new plants. These plants were later named and organized by Jean Louis Antoine Reynier.

Edmund had many friends who were also interested in nature. His neighbor, Charles Victor de Bonstetten, encouraged him to connect with Jakob Samuel Wyttenbach. Jakob was a pastor and a naturalist, someone who studies nature. Edmund also knew Jean Senebier, a pastor and botanist from Geneva.

Another important friend was Horace Bénédict de Saussure, a famous naturalist. Saussure even visited Davall in Orbe. He mentioned Davall in his book, Travels in the Alps, which was published in 1796.

Edmund Davall became very passionate about botany. He met other important botanists like Edward Forster the Elder and James Edward Smith. He was one of the first members of the Linnean Society. This is a famous group for people who study nature.

Edmund Davall died on September 26, 1798. He was working on a book about Swiss plants, but he couldn't finish it. To remember him, his friend James Edward Smith named a type of fern Davallia after him.

His Family

In November 1789, Edmund Davall married a Swiss woman named De Cottens. They had a daughter who sadly died when she was very young. They also had a son named Edmond Davall, who was born on March 25, 1793. Edmond also became a botanist, just like his father. He was also involved in politics.