John Gilbert Baker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Gilbert Baker
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John Baker
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| Born | 13 January 1834 Guisborough
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| Died | 16 August 1920 Kew
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| Nationality | English |
| Education | Quaker schools
Ackworth School Bootham School |
| Occupation | Botanist |
| Scientific career | |
| Author abbrev. (botany) | Baker |
John Gilbert Baker (born January 13, 1834 – died August 16, 1920) was an important English botanist. A botanist is a scientist who studies plants. He spent many years working at the famous Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. John Baker wrote many books about different types of plants. His son, Edmund Gilbert Baker, also became a botanist.
Contents
A Life Dedicated to Plants
John Gilbert Baker was born in Guisborough, a town in North Yorkshire, England. His parents were John and Mary Baker. He later passed away in Kew, where the famous gardens are located.
John went to Quaker schools, first at Ackworth School and then Bootham School in York. These schools helped him learn and grow.
Working at Kew Gardens
From 1866 to 1899, John Baker worked at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. This is a very famous place for plant research. He worked in the library and the herbarium. A herbarium is like a special library for dried plant specimens.
From 1890 to 1899, he was the keeper of the herbarium. This meant he was in charge of all the plant collections. He wrote helpful books about many plant groups. These included Amaryllidaceae (like daffodils), Bromeliaceae (like pineapples), Iridaceae (like irises), Liliaceae (like lilies), and ferns.
His published works include Flora of Mauritius and the Seychelles (1877). This book described all the plants found on the islands of Mauritius and the Seychelles. He also wrote Handbook of the Irideae (1892).
Family and Recognition
John Baker married Hannah Unthank in 1860. They had a son named Edmund, who later became a botanist too.
John G. Baker was recognized for his important work. In 1878, he was chosen to be a Fellow of the Royal Society. This is a very high honor for scientists in the United Kingdom. In 1907, he received the Veitch Memorial Medal from the Royal Horticultural Society. This medal is given to people who have made great contributions to gardening and botany.
Plants Named in His Honor
Many plant species have been named after John G. Baker. This is a special way to honor scientists who discover or study plants. The names often include bakeriana or bakerianus.
Some of these plants include:
- Hieracium bakerianum
- Hymenostegia bakeriana
- Iris reticulata var. bakeriana (also known as Iris bakeriana)
- Lilium bakerianum
- Rhodolaena bakeriana
- Rubus bakerianus
Selected Publications
