Hooker, Sir William J.

Sir William J. (1785-1865), a celebrated English botanist. He was a native of Norwich. He was bred a merchant, but preferred an outdoor life. He devoted himself to the study of botany. Contributions to a better understanding of the mosses led to his appointment to the chair of botany in the University of Glasgow. In 1841 he was made director of the Royal Gardens of Kew, a position which he filled with honor. He introduced improvements in the management. He was in close touch with collectors in all parts of the world, and made the Kew gardens and herbarium the center of botanical interest. His name appears in the membership lists of the botanical associations of the day. A list of his important works includes a score of titles. The best known is perhaps The British Flora, a work which has been to the British Islands what Gray's Manual has been to the northeastern United States. He was succeeded at Kew by his son, Joseph Dalton Hooker. See Gray