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Ray (WRAY JOHN an English)

or WRAY, JOHN, an English naturalist; born in Black Notley, Essex, England, Nov. 29, 1628. From Brain tree free school he went to Cambridge, where he was fellow, Greek lecturer, mathematical tutor, and junior dean in Trinity College, but after a time began to devote himself entirely to the study of natural history. At the Restoration he accepted Episcopal ordination, but was ejected by the "Black Bartholomew" (1662). Thereupon, accompanied by a kindred spirit, Francis Willughby, Ray traveled over most of the United Kingdom, collecting and investigating botanical and zoölogical specimens; and in 1663 they started on a tour through the Low Countries, Germany, Italy, and France, with a similar object. In 1667 Ray was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society. After several changes of residence, in 1679 Ray settled down in his native village. As a botanist and zoölogist he ranks very high, the classification of plants which he proposed being practically in the main the foundation of what is now known as the "Natural System" of classification. Ray's zoölogical works are considered by Cuvier as the foundation of modern zoölogy. The chief of his works on botany are "New Method a RAYAH of Plants" (1682); "Catalogue of the Plants of England" (1670), the basis of all the subsequent floras of Great Britain; and "History of Plants" (1686- 1704). His zoological works include the "Methodical Synopsis of Animals" (1893). Ray died in Black Notley, Jan. 17, 1705.