William Philip Hiern
Encyclopedia
William Philip Hiern was a British
mathematician
and botanist.
Hiern attended St. John's College
, Cambridge
, from 1857 to 1861 and attained a "first class degree" in mathematics . Later, in 1886, he attended Oxford University.
Upon his marriage he moved to Surrey
and developed an interest in botany.
In 1881, Hiern moved to Barnstaple
in north Devonshire
, and lived at the manor house adjacent to the Barnstaple Castle mound
. Hiern was quite taken with the country squire role and he assumed many public duties including those of the Lord of the Manor of Stoke Rivers
, northeast of Barnstaple, and he was one of the original aldermen of the County of Devon.
In 1903, Hiern was elected a fellow of the Royal Society
.
Hiern published in over 50 works on botanical subjects. Among his chief works was the catalogue of Welwitsch’s African plants.
The African figwort
genus Hiernia was named in his honor, as was the Ixora hiernii (a tropical evergreen shrub), the Pavetta hierniana (an evergreen shrub) and the Coffea canephora var hiernii (a species of coffee plant).
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
mathematician
Mathematician
A mathematician is a person whose primary area of study is the field of mathematics. Mathematicians are concerned with quantity, structure, space, and change....
and botanist.
Hiern attended St. John's College
St John's College, Cambridge
St John's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college's alumni include nine Nobel Prize winners, six Prime Ministers, three archbishops, at least two princes, and three Saints....
, Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
, from 1857 to 1861 and attained a "first class degree" in mathematics . Later, in 1886, he attended Oxford University.
Upon his marriage he moved to Surrey
Surrey
Surrey is a county in the South East of England and is one of the Home Counties. The county borders Greater London, Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Hampshire and Berkshire. The historic county town is Guildford. Surrey County Council sits at Kingston upon Thames, although this has been part of...
and developed an interest in botany.
In 1881, Hiern moved to Barnstaple
Barnstaple
Barnstaple is a town and civil parish in the local government district of North Devon in the county of Devon, England, UK. It lies west southwest of Bristol, north of Plymouth and northwest of the county town of Exeter. The old spelling Barnstable is now obsolete.It is the main town of the...
in north Devonshire
Devon
Devon is a large county in southwestern England. The county is sometimes referred to as Devonshire, although the term is rarely used inside the county itself as the county has never been officially "shired", it often indicates a traditional or historical context.The county shares borders with...
, and lived at the manor house adjacent to the Barnstaple Castle mound
Barnstaple Castle
Barnstaple Castle stood near what is now the centre of the town of Barnstaple, Devon later lived in the castle and established a priory just outside its walls. The castle's first stone buildings were probably erected by Henry de Tracey, a strong supporter of King Stephen. In 1228, the Sheriff of...
. Hiern was quite taken with the country squire role and he assumed many public duties including those of the Lord of the Manor of Stoke Rivers
Stoke Rivers
Stoke Rivers is a small village five miles NE of Barnstaple, in Devon, England.The name derives from the Rivers family, who owned the village.The village is located at -External links:...
, northeast of Barnstaple, and he was one of the original aldermen of the County of Devon.
In 1903, Hiern was elected 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"...
.
Hiern published in over 50 works on botanical subjects. Among his chief works was the catalogue of Welwitsch’s African plants.
The African figwort
Scrophulariaceae
Scrophulariaceae, the figwort family, are a family of flowering plants. The plants are annual or perennial herbs with flowers with bilateral or rarely radial symmetry. Members of the Scrophulariaceae have a cosmopolitan distribution, with the majority found in temperate areas, including...
genus Hiernia was named in his honor, as was the Ixora hiernii (a tropical evergreen shrub), the Pavetta hierniana (an evergreen shrub) and the Coffea canephora var hiernii (a species of coffee plant).
External links
- "William Philip Hiern (1839–1925)" Royal Albert Memorial Museum and Art Gallery