William Andrew Archer

William Andrew Archer
Born(1894-11-07)November 7, 1894
Torreon, Coahuila, Mexico
Died(1973-05-07)May 7, 1973
Washington, D.C., United States of America
NationalityAmerican
Alma materUniversity of Michigan
Known forExtensive plant exploration, collecting, taxonomy, research, documentation, publications, including the study of mycology, phytopathology and also, the medicinal uses of plants
Scientific career
FieldsBotany
InstitutionsUnited States National Arboretum
Author abbrev. (botany)W.A.Archer

William Andrew Archer (1894–1973) was an American economic botanist, ethnobotanist, taxonomist, plant explorer, and herbarium curator. He was born in Torreon, Mexico to American parents. Archer studied at New Mexico State College, earning his B.S. in biology, and completed a Ph.D. in botany and mycology at the University of Michigan in 1925.[1] Most of his professional career was spent at United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), including his position as Curator of the United States National Arboretum Herbarium from 1938 to 1964.[2] After his retirement from the USDA, Archer was appointed Research Associate in the Department of Botany, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH). His career was marked by extensive collecting trips to Central and South America and to Africa.[3][4] He spoke English, Portuguese and Spanish.[1]

Hıs ashes were scattered in a woodland area in Prince George's County, Maryland.[1]

  1. ^ a b c Correll, William S. "William Andrew Archer". Taxon. JSTOR 1218439.
  2. ^ "Record Unit 7378 W. Andrew (William Andrew) Archer Papers, circa 1918-1973". Smithsonian Institution Archives. Retrieved 2 August 2011.
  3. ^ Hunt Institute at Carnegie Mellon University
  4. ^ "Archer, William Andrew" (PDF). Carnegie Mellon University. Retrieved 2 August 2011.