Botanical Connections

In the late 1800s to early 1900s, many of the leaders of botanical research and instruction had connections with each other. Our own William James Beal was a part of this great network, and here’s how.

W. J. Beal (1833–1924), born in Michigan, first graduated from the University of Michigan, earning a B.A. degree in 1859, then attended Harvard University where he earned a B.S. and an M.S. degrees (1862, 1865).
Beal, W. J. 1911. Michigan Weeds. Michigan Agricultural College Experiment Station, East Lansing. Bulletin: 267. Michigan Agricultural College.

"Line drawings of Beggar Ticks (Bidens frondosa L.) and Star Thistle (Centarea solstitialis L.)" — Beggar Ticks (*Bidens frondosa* L.) and Star Thistle (*Centarea solstitialis* L.)

"Line drawings of Ox-eye Daisy (Chrysanthemun leucanthemum L.)" — Ox-eye Daisy (*Chrysanthemun leucanthemum* L.)

While at Harvard he studied under the botanical great Asa Gray (1810–1888), who served as a professor of botany at the University of Michigan (1838-1842) before being hired full-time at Harvard (1842–1873). Gray was a great admirer of Charles Darwin, they developed a collaborative friendship and the two corresponded frequently especially regarding plant and general evolution concepts.
Gray, Asa, and Isaac Sprague. 1849. Genera Floræ Americæ Boreali-Orientalis Illustrata: The Genera of the Plants of the United States Illustrated by Figures and Analyses from Nature. G. P. Putnam.

"Title page of Genera Floræ Americæ Boreali-Orientalis Illustrata"

"Colorized violet (Viola) and line drawings of the plant parts." — Violets, *Viola*

Beal, now a professor of botany and horticulture at Michigan Agricultural College had read Darwin’s book, The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom. He wrote to Darwin regarding corn hybridizing experiments he was conducting (1871). Darwin replied to Beal, supporting his ideas of hybridization.
Darwin, Charles. 1876. The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom. J. Murray.

"Typewritten transcript of the original letter of Darwin to Beal"

"Book cover of Darwin's The Effects of Cross and Self Fertilisation in the Vegetable Kingdom"

Professor Beal’s botany class uses microscopes, date unknown. (A001583) University Archives & Historical Collections.: Beal went on to experiment with corn hybrids and made great strides in this field of research, teaching countless students in plant hybridization, and making landmark contributions that are still referenced today.

"Photograph of Beal teaching a botanical class, date unknown" — Beal teaching a botanical class, n.d.

One man's botanical contribution tied all of these men together - Carolus Linnæus. His development of binomial nomenclature of plants was inspiring and adopted by botanists and is still used today.
Linné, Carl von. 1755. Caroli Linnaei ... Flora Svecica: Exhibens Plantas per Regnum Sveciæ Crescentes, Systematice Cum Differentiis Specierum, Synonymis Autorum, Nominibus Incolarum, Solo Locorum, Usu Oeconomorum, Officinalibus Pharmacopæorum. Editio secunda, Aucta et emendata ... Sumtu & literis Laurentii Salvii.

"Text and fold-out line drawing of roots, stems, and flowers of Scropularia" — Text and fold-out line drawing of roots, stems, and flowers of *Scropularia*

"Enlargement of the fold-out line drawing of roots, stems, and flowers of Scropularia" — *Scropularia*