Peter Crane
Encyclopedia
Sir Peter Crane, FRS
(born 18 July 1954) is a former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens
in Kew
, London
. He is a fellow of the Royal Society
, a foreign associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences
and a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
since 2002. He was awarded a knighthood on 12 June 2004.
Crane is an alumnus of the University of Reading
. His own research interests involve the integration of studies of living and fossil plants, in order to understand large-scale patterns and processes of plant evolution. He has previously held positions at the Field Museum of Natural History
in Chicago (as assistant curator in the Department of Geology, and director with overall responsibility for scientific programs) and at the University of Chicago
(professor in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences). In November 2005, Sir Peter announced that he would resign his position at Kew to accept a faculty appointment in the University of Chicago
’s Department of Geophysical Sciences beginning July 1, 2006. On March 4, 2009, it was announced Crane would leave the University of Chicago to become the new dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University
in New Haven, Connecticut
, succeeding James Speth. His appointment is effective September 2009.
Peter Crane is married with two children.
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"...
(born 18 July 1954) is a former Director of the Royal Botanic Gardens
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...
in Kew
Kew
Kew is a place in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in South West London. Kew is best known for being the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens, now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. He is a fellow of the Royal Society
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"...
, a foreign associate of the United States National Academy of Sciences
United States National Academy of Sciences
The National Academy of Sciences is a corporation in the United States whose members serve pro bono as "advisers to the nation on science, engineering, and medicine." As a national academy, new members of the organization are elected annually by current members, based on their distinguished and...
and a foreign member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences or Kungliga Vetenskapsakademien is one of the Royal Academies of Sweden. The Academy is an independent, non-governmental scientific organization which acts to promote the sciences, primarily the natural sciences and mathematics.The Academy was founded on 2...
since 2002. He was awarded a knighthood on 12 June 2004.
Crane is an alumnus of the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
. His own research interests involve the integration of studies of living and fossil plants, in order to understand large-scale patterns and processes of plant evolution. He has previously held positions at the Field Museum of Natural History
Field Museum of Natural History
The Field Museum of Natural History is located in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It sits on Lake Shore Drive next to Lake Michigan, part of a scenic complex known as the Museum Campus Chicago...
in Chicago (as assistant curator in the Department of Geology, and director with overall responsibility for scientific programs) and at the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
(professor in the Department of the Geophysical Sciences). In November 2005, Sir Peter announced that he would resign his position at Kew to accept a faculty appointment in the University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
’s Department of Geophysical Sciences beginning July 1, 2006. On March 4, 2009, it was announced Crane would leave the University of Chicago to become the new dean of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Studies at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
in New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
, succeeding James Speth. His appointment is effective September 2009.
Peter Crane is married with two children.