A Century Ago
The New York Botanical Garden's first Director, Nathaniel Lord Britton, was born the same year--1859--that Charles Darwin published On the Origin of Species, the famous book that set out the theory of evolution by natural selection. Britton was 23 years old and a university professor when Darwin died, in 1882. Well before Darwin's death, the Origin and the theory of evolution were already regarded as "the most potent instrument for the extension of the realm of natural knowledge" in centuries. (Biologist T.H. Huxley).
Britton, like Darwin, was passionate about the natural world from an early age. Upon the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Origin and the 100th anniversary of Darwin's birth, in 1909, Britton drew attention to Darwin's conclusion during his voyage aboard the HMS Beagle that "Nothing can be more improving to a young naturalist than a journey in distant countries." Britton proposed that Darwin's idea "should be reiterated by all teachers of natural science, and such experience should be sought by all students who propose engaging in investigation." Click here for Britton's full tribute to Darwin presented at the New York Academy of Sciences' Darwin celebration at the American Museum of Natural History on February 12, 1909.
In his decades as Director, Britton focused much of the Garden's attention on the necessary work of botanical exploration of the largely unknown Western Hemisphere. However, as a scientist who came of age after On the Origin of Species, Britton also encouraged a broad approach to plant studies to better understand the origin of the diversity of life on Earth.
Today, the Garden's scientists continue that legacy, making new discoveries and helping us to better understand the plants of the world and their evolutionary relationships.
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