John Goodyer

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John Goodyer (1592 – 1664), was a 17th century botanist, who lived in Petersfield, Hampshire, England.

Goodyer's reputation was so great that, in 1643 during the English Civil War, Ralph Hopton, one of the senior Royalist commanders, ordered troops to defend and protect John Goodyer, his house, family, servants and estates. John Goodyer was born in Alton, Hampshire. It is unknown where he was educated but he lived in Petersfield where his house still exists.

He was buried in an unmarked grave at St Mary’s church, Buriton, where a stained glass window can be found within the church as a memorial to him showing the Goodyer coat of arms. Following his death the Goodyer charity Weston was setup using some of the proceeds from his estate to help the poor. His work and books are now stored at Oxford university and in recognition to his work, Goodyera, a genus of small terrestrial orchids, has been named after him.