John Parkinson (botanist)
John Parkinson (1567–1650) was an English botanist and one of the last herbalists of the Renaissance. He is best known for his works Paradisi in Sole Paradisus Terrestris (1629) and Theatrum Botanicum (1640), which were influential in the field of botany and horticulture.
Early Life and Career[edit | edit source]
John Parkinson was born in 1567 in London, England. He initially trained as an apothecary and became a member of the Worshipful Society of Apothecaries in 1617. His interest in plants and their medicinal properties led him to pursue a career in botany.
Major Works[edit | edit source]
Paradisi in Sole Paradisus Terrestris[edit | edit source]
Paradisi in Sole Paradisus Terrestris (1629) is one of Parkinson's most famous works. The title translates to "Park-in-Sun's Earthly Paradise," a play on his own name. The book is a comprehensive guide to gardening and horticulture, featuring detailed descriptions and illustrations of various plants. It is divided into three sections: the first on flowers, the second on herbs, and the third on fruits and trees.
Theatrum Botanicum[edit | edit source]
Theatrum Botanicum (1640) is another significant work by Parkinson. It is an extensive herbal that describes over 3,800 plants, making it one of the most comprehensive botanical works of its time. The book includes detailed information on the medicinal uses of plants, their cultivation, and their botanical characteristics.
Contributions to Botany[edit | edit source]
Parkinson's works were highly influential in the development of botany as a scientific discipline. His detailed descriptions and illustrations of plants provided valuable information for both scientists and gardeners. He was also one of the first to use the term "herbaceous" to describe non-woody plants.
Legacy[edit | edit source]
John Parkinson's contributions to botany and horticulture have left a lasting impact. His works are still referenced today by botanists and historians. He is remembered as one of the last great herbalists of the Renaissance and a pioneer in the field of botany.
See Also[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
External Links[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD