The Shaping Of Cambridge Botany

The book "The Shaping of Cambridge Botany" is about the history of the Cambridge Botanic Garden and the influential scientists and ideas that have shaped it. The book focuses on whole-plant botany, which is different from cell biology or the study of the "lower plants." The book is richly illustrated and easy to read, and it is a great resource for anyone interested in the history of botany or the development of plant science.

Originally published in 1981, this generously illustrated volume marked the 150th anniversary of the acquisition by the University of Cambridge of the site for its 'New Botanic Garden'. Written by a distinguished authority on British and European plants, the book honours the eminent scientists and key ideas that have been most influential not only in the history of the Botanic Gardens but also in guiding the development of botany itself from the foundations laid by John Ray in the mid-seventeenth century. It also includes rarely seen archival material . The core theme of the book is whole-plant botany, as distinct from cell biology or the study of the 'lower plants' (bacteria and fungi). Relatively little emphasis is given to genetics, plant physiology or ecology. The reader is nevertheless richly rewarded by this engaging and erudite account of Cambridge botany over more than three centuries.