ASA Gray: American Botanist, Friend of Darwin - Paperback

by A. Hunter Dupree (Author)

The leading American botanist of the nineteenth century, Asa Gray helped organize the main generalizations of the science of plant geography. The manual of botany that carries his name is still in use today. Friend and confidant of Charles Darwin, Gray became the most persistent and effective American protagonist of Darwin's views. Yet at the same time, he believed that religion and Darwin's theory of natural selection could coexist. A. Hunter Dupree's authoritative biography offers the first full-length interpretation of one of America's most important scientists.

Back Jacket

The leading American botanist of the nineteenth century, Asa Gray helped organize the main generalizations of the science of plant geography. The manual of botany that carries his name is still in use today. Friend and confidant of Charles Darwin, Gray became the most persistent and effective American protagonist of Darwin's views. Yet at the same time, he believed that religion and Darwin's theory of natural selection could coexist. A. Hunter Dupree's authoritative biography offers the first full-length interpretation of one of America's most important men of science.

Author Biography

A. Hunter Dupree is George L. Littlefield Porfessor of History Emeritus at Brown University and research associate at the Gray Herbarium of Harvard University. He is also author of Science in the Federal Government: A History of Policies and Activities and the editor of several other works.