Charles Wilkins Short

A cyclopedia of American medical biography vol 2 - Charles Wilkins Short

Charles Wilkins Short (October 6, 1794 – March 7, 1863) was an American botanist and physician. He is best known for his contributions to the field of botany and for his extensive work in the flora of the United States.

Early Life and Education[edit | edit source]

Charles Wilkins Short was born in Woodford County, Kentucky. He pursued his early education in local schools before attending Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky. He later studied medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his medical degree in 1815.

Career[edit | edit source]

After completing his education, Short returned to Kentucky and began practicing medicine. He also took a keen interest in botany, a field in which he would make significant contributions. Short was a professor of materia medica and medical botany at Transylvania University from 1825 to 1838. He later became a professor at the University of Louisville.

Contributions to Botany[edit | edit source]

Charles Wilkins Short is renowned for his work in cataloging and describing the plant species of the United States, particularly those found in Kentucky. He corresponded with many prominent botanists of his time, including Asa Gray and John Torrey. Several plant species were named in his honor, such as Shortia galacifolia, commonly known as Oconee bells.

Legacy[edit | edit source]

Short's extensive herbarium collection was donated to the Smithsonian Institution after his death, providing valuable resources for future botanical research. His work laid the foundation for subsequent studies in American botany.