Theophrastus

Pioneered systematic botany and laid the foundation for plant science

Theophrastus (c. 371–287 BCE), a Greek philosopher and student of Aristotle, is celebrated as the Father of Botany for his revolutionary work Enquiry into Plants (Historia Plantarum). Unlike earlier naturalists, he classified plants based on their morphology, growth patterns, and medicinal uses, documenting over 500 species. His empirical approach shifted botanical studies from philosophical speculation to systematic observation, influencing Renaissance scientists like Linnaeus.

He also authored On the Causes of Plants, detailing agricultural practices and plant physiology. Theophrastus’s work remained the cornerstone of botany for over 1,500 years. His legacy is evident in modern taxonomy and ecology. Learn more about his contributions here.