Luther Burbank

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Burbank birthplace

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Picture of Luther Burbank

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Paul Stark Sr. pays his respects at Luther Burbank's gravesite

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Burbank Cactus

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Luther Burbank (March 7, 1849 – April 11, 1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist, and pioneer in agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-year career. Burbank's most notable achievements include the development of the Russet Burbank potato, which helped alleviate the Great Irish Famine and is still widely used in the fast food industry today, particularly for French fries.

Early Life

Luther Burbank was born in Lancaster, Massachusetts, to Samuel Walton Burbank and Olive Ross Burbank. From a young age, he showed a keen interest in plants and nature, which was encouraged by his mother. After receiving a high school education, Burbank used his inheritance from his father's death to buy a 17-acre plot of land near Lunenburg, Massachusetts, where he began his plant breeding experiments.

Career

In 1875, Burbank sold his first commercial plant, the Burbank potato, and used the proceeds to move to Santa Rosa, California, where he purchased a 4-acre plot that would become the site of his experimental farms. Burbank's work in Santa Rosa, and later in Sebastopol, California, involved crossbreeding plants to create new varieties with desirable traits, such as disease resistance, improved yield, and enhanced taste.

Burbank's approach to plant breeding was empirical and based on the principle of natural selection. He introduced the concept of hybrid vigor and was one of the first to apply the principles of genetics to the practice of plant breeding, although he did not use the scientific terminology of his time.

Among Burbank's most famous creations are the Shasta daisy, the fire poppy, the July Elberta peach, the Santa Rosa plum, and the Flaming Gold nectarine. His work with the spineless cactus was particularly notable for its potential to provide a reliable food source for livestock in arid regions.

Legacy

Luther Burbank's contributions to agriculture and horticulture are immense. He was widely recognized during his lifetime and received numerous awards and honors. The Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa is a registered National Historic Landmark dedicated to his life and work.

Burbank was a contemporary of Thomas Edison and Henry Ford, and like them, he was a prolific inventor, although his medium was living plants rather than technology. His methods and discoveries laid the groundwork for modern plant breeding and genetic engineering.

Despite his success, Burbank's work was also subject to criticism, particularly from those who opposed his non-scientific approach and lack of formal documentation. Nevertheless, his legacy as a pioneer in the field of plant breeding and genetics is undisputed.

Death and Memorials

Luther Burbank died on April 11, 1926, in Santa Rosa. His gravesite is located at the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens. In addition to the national historic landmark dedicated to him, Burbank's influence is commemorated in various ways, including the naming of schools, parks, and other institutions after him.

See Also

• Agricultural science
• Horticulture
• Genetics
• Plant breeding