Richard A. Howard
Encyclopedia
Richard Alden Howard was an American
botanist and plant taxonomist. Howard, who served as director of Arnold Arboretum between 1954 and 1977, was known for his work in tropical biology and as author the Flora of the Lesser Antilles.
and raised in Warren, Ohio
. He received an A.B.
from Miami University
in 1938 and took up a position as a technician with Irving W. Bailey at Harvard University
. Howard worked on the Icacinaceae
plant family and in 1939 he received a fellowship which supported his graduate study. He continued to work on the Icacinaceae, receiving his doctorate in 1942. His doctoral thesis was entitled "Studies of the Icacinaceae: A monograph of the New World species.
, but was rejected because he exceeded their maximum height requirement. He was accepted into the United States Army Air Corps
as an Aviation Physiologist. In this capacity he organized and ran the Jungle Survival Program of the School of Applied Tactics at Orlando, Florida
, a program which later developed into the Air-Sea Rescue Service. He wrote survival manuals and left the service with the rank of captain. Howard was awarded the Legion of Merit
in 1947 for his work in this program.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
botanist and plant taxonomist. Howard, who served as director of Arnold Arboretum between 1954 and 1977, was known for his work in tropical biology and as author the Flora of the Lesser Antilles.
Early life and education
Howard was born in Stamford, ConnecticutStamford, Connecticut
Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England...
and raised in Warren, Ohio
Warren, Ohio
As of the census of 2000, there were 46,832 people, 19,288 households and 12,035 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,912.4 people per square mile . There were 21,279 housing units at an average density of 1,322.9 per square mile...
. He received an A.B.
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
from Miami University
Miami University
Miami University is a coeducational public research university located in Oxford, Ohio, United States. Founded in 1809, it is the 10th oldest public university in the United States and the second oldest university in Ohio, founded four years after Ohio University. In its 2012 edition, U.S...
in 1938 and took up a position as a technician with Irving W. Bailey at Harvard University
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...
. Howard worked on the Icacinaceae
Icacinaceae
Icacinaceae is a family of flowering plants.It consists of trees, shrubs, and lianas, primarily of the tropics.The family was traditionally circumscribed quite broadly, with around 55 genera totalling over 400 species...
plant family and in 1939 he received a fellowship which supported his graduate study. He continued to work on the Icacinaceae, receiving his doctorate in 1942. His doctoral thesis was entitled "Studies of the Icacinaceae: A monograph of the New World species.
World War II
After graduation, Howard attempted to enlist in the United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
, but was rejected because he exceeded their maximum height requirement. He was accepted into the United States Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
as an Aviation Physiologist. In this capacity he organized and ran the Jungle Survival Program of the School of Applied Tactics at Orlando, Florida
Orlando, Florida
Orlando is a city in the central region of the U.S. state of Florida. It is the county seat of Orange County, and the center of the Greater Orlando metropolitan area. According to the 2010 US Census, the city had a population of 238,300, making Orlando the 79th largest city in the United States...
, a program which later developed into the Air-Sea Rescue Service. He wrote survival manuals and left the service with the rank of captain. Howard was awarded the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
in 1947 for his work in this program.