Cornelius Lott Shear | |
---|---|
Born | 26 March 1865 Albany |
Died | 2 February 1956 (aged 90) |
Alma mater | |
Occupation | |
Spouse(s) | Avis Morrison Sherwood (m. 1890-1950; her death) |
Children | 6 |
Academic career | |
Fields | Mycology, botany, plant pathology |
Institutions | |
Author abbrev. (botany) | Shear |
Cornelius Lott Shear (March 26, 1865 February 2, 1956) was an American mycologist and plant pathologist who served as a senior pathologist at the USDA Bureau of Plant Industry.[1]
Born in Coeyman's Hollow, Albany County, New York, on March 26, 1865, Shear was the first to describe the grass Bromus arizonicus.[2] He was a pioneer in the study of pathogenic fungi who studied crop diseases and developed control measures for treatment of economically-important crops such as cranberries, grapes and cotton.[1][3] Shear edited the exsiccata series New York fungi.[4][5] He played a pivotal role in creating the American Phytopathological Society, founded in 1908.[1][6]
The standard author abbreviation Shear is used to indicate this person as the author when citing a botanical name.[7]