John Isaac Briquet (13 March 1870 in Geneva – 26 October 1931 in Geneva) was a Swiss botanist, director of the Conservatoire Botanique at Geneva.[1] [2][3]

He received his education in natural sciences at Geneva and Berlin,[4] and studied botany with Simon Schwendener, Adolf Engler, Marc Thury, Johannes Müller Argoviensis, and Alphonse de Candolle.[1] In 1896 he became a curator at the Conservatoire Botanique, later serving as its director (1906–1931). From 1912 to 1921, he was president of the Swiss Botanical Society.[4]

Between 1895 and 1917, with Émile Burnat, he participated in a number of botanical trips, journeying to Corsica, Dalmatia, the Maritime Alps (France and Italy), Montenegro, et al.[4]

Besides his floristic work, he had a particular interest in the genus Galeopsis, and family Lamiaceae (Labiatae).[1] He is especially remembered for his contributions to the "Rules of Nomenclature", the precursors of the modern International Code of Nomenclature for algae, fungi, and plants, with which he took a leading role from 1900, at a time when four sets of rules were competing for acceptance:[5]

... for more than 30 years [he] was to take de Candolle's place as the leader in nomenclatural matters and ... by his clear-headedness, good nature, and judicial attitude was to contribute much to the solution of their problems.

Selected works

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Bust of John Isaac Briquet by Elisabeth Gross-Fulpius, on display on the grounds of the Conservatory and Botanical Garden of the City of Geneva.
  • Flore des Alpes Maritimes, 7 volumes (with Émile Burnat and François Cavillier); 1892–1931; Flora of the Maritime Alps.
  • Monographie du genre Galeopsis, 1893 – Monograph on the genus Galeopsis.
  • Études sur les Cytises des Alpes maritimes, 1894 – Studies of Cytisus of the Maritime Alps.
  • Biographies de botanistes suisses, 1906 – Biographies of Swiss botanists.
  • Prodrome de la flore Corse, comprenant les résultats botaniques de six voyages exécutés en Corse sour les auspices de M. Emile Burnat, 1910 (with René Verriet de Litardière) – Prodome of Corsican flora.[6]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Gleason, H. A. (1932). "Obituary". Science. 76 (1968): 247–248. doi:10.1126/science.76.1968.247. PMID 17731050.
  2. ^ "Index of Botanists". Harvard University Herbaria. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  3. ^ "Briquet, John Isaac (1870–1931)". Aluka. Retrieved 2008-06-20.
  4. ^ a b c Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz (biography)
  5. ^ Weatherby, C.A. (1949). "Botanical Nomenclature Since 1867". American Journal of Botany. 36 (1): 5–7. doi:10.2307/2438113. JSTOR 2438113. PMID 18124191.
  6. ^ WorldCat Identities Most widely held works by John Briquet
  7. ^ International Plant Names Index.  Briq.
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