Ghillean Prance
Encyclopedia
Sir
Ghillean Tolmie Prance FRS
VMH
(born 13 July 1937) is a prominent British
botanist
and ecologist
.
He has published extensively on the taxonomy
of families such as Chrysobalanaceae
and Lecythidaceae
, but he perhaps drew more attention in documenting the pollination ecology of Victoria amazonica
. The foremost public office he held was as director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
(1988–1999). He was knighted in 1995. Since his retirement he has remained very active, notably involving himself with the Eden Project
. Prance, a devout Christian, is currently the chair of A Rocha
and president of Christians in Science
.
He is actively involved on environmental issues, a trustee of the Amazon Charitable Trust, and a Vice-President of the Nature in Art
Trust. A biography of Prance was written by Clive Langmead.
Knight Bachelor
The rank of Knight Bachelor is a part of the British honours system. It is the most basic rank of a man who has been knighted by the monarch but not as a member of one of the organised Orders of Chivalry...
Ghillean Tolmie Prance FRS
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
VMH
Victoria Medal of Honour
The Victoria Medal of Honour is awarded to British horticulturists resident in the United Kingdom whom the Royal Horticultural Society Council considers deserving of special honour by the Society...
(born 13 July 1937) is a prominent British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
botanist
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
and ecologist
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
.
He has published extensively on the taxonomy
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
of families such as Chrysobalanaceae
Chrysobalanaceae
Chrysobalanaceae is a family of trees, shrubs and flowering plants, consisting of 17 genera and about 460 species of leptocaul that grows in the Tropics or is subtropical and common in the Americas...
and Lecythidaceae
Lecythidaceae
The Lecythidaceae comprise a family of about 20 genera and 250-300 species of woody plants native to tropical South America and Madagascar.According to the most recent molecular analysis of Lecythidaceae The Lecythidaceae comprise a family of about 20 genera and 250-300 species of woody plants...
, but he perhaps drew more attention in documenting the pollination ecology of Victoria amazonica
Victoria amazonica
Victoria amazonica is a species of flowering plant, the largest of the Nymphaeaceae family of water lilies.-Description:The species has very large leaves, up to 3 m in diameter, that float on the water's surface on a submerged stalk, 7–8 m in length. The species was once called Victoria...
. The foremost public office he held was as director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...
(1988–1999). He was knighted in 1995. Since his retirement he has remained very active, notably involving himself with the Eden Project
Eden Project
The Eden Project is a visitor attraction in Cornwall in the United Kingdom, including the world's largest greenhouse. Inside the artificial biomes are plants that are collected from all around the world....
. Prance, a devout Christian, is currently the chair of A Rocha
A Rocha
A Rocha is an international environmental organization with a Christian ethos. A Rocha, which means "the rock" in Portuguese , was founded in Portugal in 1983 by Anglican minister Peter Harris and his wife Miranda...
and president of Christians in Science
Christians in Science
Christians in Science is a British organization of scientists, philosophers, theologians, ministers, teachers, and science students, predominantly evangelical Christians, concerned with the dialogue between Christianity and science...
.
He is actively involved on environmental issues, a trustee of the Amazon Charitable Trust, and a Vice-President of the Nature in Art
Nature in Art
Nature in Art is a museum and art gallery at Wallsworth Hall, Twigworth, Gloucester, England, dedicated exclusively to art inspired by nature in all forms, styles and media...
Trust. A biography of Prance was written by Clive Langmead.
Video
External links
- Biography
- Honours list
- A 1998 interview
- 2005 Interview
- Profile at A Rocha
- 1993 International Cosmos PrizeInternational Cosmos PrizeThe International Cosmos Prize was established in 1993, commemorating Expo 90 in Osaka, Japan.The objective of the prize is to develop the basic concept of Expo 90, "The Harmonious Coexistence between Nature and Mankind."...
http://www.expo-cosmos.or.jp/jusyou/1993_e.html