 | A major contributor to this article appears to have a close connection with its subject. (January 2023) |
Peter Greig-Smith | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1922 |
| Died | 2003 |
| Alma mater | University of Cambridge |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Plant ecology; Quantitative methods |
| Institutions | University of Manchester ; University of North Wales, Bangor |
| Doctoral advisors | Alexander Watt |
Peter Greig-Smith (1922–2003) was a British plant ecologist, founder of the discipline of quantitative ecology in the United Kingdom. He had a deep influence across the world on vegetation studies and plant ecology, mostly from his book Quantitative Plant Ecology, first published in 1957 and a must-read for multiple generations of young ecologists.
In 1952, Greig-Smith was hired by the University College of North Wales at Bangor, Wales (now Bangor University), where he spent the rest of his academic career. His book Quantitative Plant Ecology spread the ideas of rigorous, quantitative ecological methods among the world’s research community, and made his lab at Bangor a magnet for plant biologists with an interest in mathematical and statistical methods. A stout supporter of Bangor’s graduate program in ecology, he recruited and advised many students and research collaborators from all continents.
A prominent member of the British Ecological Society, he was first elected to council in 1957, and in 1961 he became honorary secretary. He held this post until 1964, when he resigned to become editor of the Journal of Ecology, the society’s scientific publication. He remained as editor until 1968. In 1977 he was elected vice president of the society, and served as president in 1978 and 1979.