Matthias de l'Obel

Title page from Lobel and Pena, Stirpium...1570 Wellcome L0012438

Matthias de l'Obel (1538 – 3 March 1616), also known as Matthaeus Lobelius, was a Flemish physician and botanist who made significant contributions to the field of botany and is remembered for his work in classifying plants. Born in Lille, which was then part of the Spanish Netherlands, de l'Obel's interest in plants and their medicinal properties led him to pursue a career that would bridge the gap between medicine and botany, reflecting the Renaissance period's growing interest in the natural sciences.

Early Life and Education

Matthias de l'Obel was born into a family with a keen interest in the sciences, which fostered his early curiosity about the natural world. He pursued his education at the University of Montpellier, a renowned center for medical studies in France. There, he was exposed to the works of prominent figures in medicine and botany, which influenced his later contributions to the field.

Career

After completing his studies, de l'Obel traveled extensively throughout Europe, studying plants and their medicinal uses. His travels and observations contributed to his extensive knowledge of botany, which he would later compile into significant works. In 1571, he published his first major work, Stirpium Adversaria Nova, in collaboration with Pierre Pena. This work was notable for its detailed illustrations and descriptions of plants, and it played a crucial role in the development of botany as a science.

De l'Obel served as a physician to William the Silent, Prince of Orange, and later, after moving to England, became the personal physician to King James I. His position allowed him to establish a botanical garden and continue his studies and classification of plants.

Contributions to Botany

One of de l'Obel's most significant contributions to botany was his approach to classifying plants. He was among the first to attempt to organize plants based on their characteristics and properties, rather than their medicinal uses alone. This approach laid the groundwork for later taxonomic systems. His work in plant classification was further developed in his later publication, Plantarum seu Stirpium Historia (1576), where he introduced a more systematic classification scheme.

Legacy

Matthias de l'Obel's work had a lasting impact on the field of botany. He is commemorated in the genus Lobelia, named in his honor by Charles Plumier, a French botanist, in the 17th century. His approach to plant classification and his contributions to botanical literature have been recognized as foundational in the development of botany as a scientific discipline.

Death

Matthias de l'Obel passed away on 3 March 1616. His legacy lives on through his contributions to botany and the continued relevance of his work in the field.