James Brodie (botanist)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

James Brodie of Brodie FRS FLS (1744-1824) was a Scottish politician and botanist. Born at the family property, Brodie Castle in Moray, he was educated at Elgin Academy and St. Andrews University. He was returned to parliament in 1796 as MP for Elginshire, serving until 1807. He was appointed Lord Lieutenant of Nairn.[1]

As a botanist, Brodie specialised in cryptogamic flora, i.e. plants which reproduce by spores, such as algae, ferns and mosses. He discovered a number of new species both around Edinburgh and on his own property at Brodie. His collection is now held at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. He corresponded with other eminent botanists of his time, including Sir William Jackson Hooker and Sir James Edward Smith. Brodie was elected a Fellow of the Linnaean Society in 1795, and of the Royal Society in 1797.[2] The genus Brodiaea is named in his honour.[3]

He married Lady Margaret Duff, sister of James Duff, 2nd Earl Fife, and had two sons and two daughters.[1]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b Wilson, Joshua, Biographical index to the present House of Commons (1808), cited in Charters, Michael L. "Brodiaea", California Plant Names: Latin and Greek Meanings and Derivations: A Dictionary of Botanical Etymology. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  2. ^ Umberto Quattrocchi (2000). Brodiaea. CRC World Dictionary of Plant Names. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
  3. ^ Wild Hyacith (Brodiaea douglasii). Idaho Panhandle National Forests. Retrieved on 2008-03-17.
Parliament of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Lewis Alexander Grant		 Member of Parliament for Elginshire
1796–1807		 Succeeded by
Francis William Grant


 This Scottish biographical article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
 This article about a botanist is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.