Ynes Mexia
Encyclopedia
Ynes Enriquetta Julietta Mexia (May 24, 1870 - July 12, 1938), a Mexican was an American
botanist
and explorer. She was originally a social worker, but at the age of 51, she started taking botany classes at the University of California, Berkeley
. On many trips made to such places as South America
and Alaska
, she collected large numbers of plant specimens; it is estimated that she discovered over 500 species of plants. She also had a bachelor degree in the study of plants.
She was a member of many professional societies, such as, the Sociedad Geografica de Lima in Peru.
Her grandfather was the Mexican politician José Antonio Mexía
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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 explorer. She was originally a social worker, but at the age of 51, she started taking botany classes at the University of California, Berkeley
University of California, Berkeley
The University of California, Berkeley , is a teaching and research university established in 1868 and located in Berkeley, California, USA...
. On many trips made to such places as South America
South America
South America is a continent situated in the Western Hemisphere, mostly in the Southern Hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the Northern Hemisphere. The continent is also considered a subcontinent of the Americas. It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east...
and Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
, she collected large numbers of plant specimens; it is estimated that she discovered over 500 species of plants. She also had a bachelor degree in the study of plants.
She was a member of many professional societies, such as, the Sociedad Geografica de Lima in Peru.
Her grandfather was the Mexican politician José Antonio Mexía
José Antonio Mexía
José Antonio Mexía was an 18th-century Mexican politician. He claimed to have been born in Xalapa, Veracruz, but contradicting contemporary reports say he was a native of Cuba....
.
External links
- Guide to the Ynés Mexía Papers at The Bancroft Library