Robert Brown (1773-1858)

Robert Brown is regarded as the greatest British botanist of the 19th century. His interest in natural history developed while studying medicine at university. In 1795, before completing his degree, he was commissioned as a surgeon's mate in the Fifeshire Regiment of Fencibles, and took every opportunity to study natural history while the regiment was based in Northern Ireland for five years. Brown found that military life was not to his liking, and was excited when offered the position of Naturalist on the Investigator in December 1800. During Flinders' coastal surveys, Brown collected over 3000 specimens, more than half of which were unknown to science. Brown published the first major work on Australian botany, "Prodromus Florae Novae Hollandiae et Insulae Van-Diemen", which revitalised the botanical science of his day. Brown made several major scientific discoveries, including that of molecular agitation (now called ‘Brownian Movement'), which dispelled the animist view of the construction of organic material. He received numerous academic honours, and held high postings such as President of the Linnean Society from 1849-53, after which he remained Vice-President of the Society until his death. See lists of plants collected by Brown at: Sandy Cape (31 Jul); Port Curtis (5 Aug); Halfway Island (30 Oct).

Last updated 9 October 2006. For more information email admin@rgsq.org.au   Return to home