PLANT PATHOLOGY SEMINAR
History of Plant Pathology
January 31, 1952
Gene Maitlen
^:h:
Modern American Plant Pathology
with ~h$  exception of Smith and possibly Burrill these workers were
primarily s^rcologl^rbsj Severer, those who1 were mycologists applied, early
in their careers, the economic aspects of mycology in the study of parasitic
fungi* &&h of thsse men played a major role in the establishment of plant
science,
1, Burrill, Thomas Jonathan 1839-1916
Born April 25, 1839 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Family moved
to northern Illinois when he was 9 years old. He graduated from Illinois State Normal Univ. in 1865. In 1870 was appointed professor of
Botany and Horticulture at Illinois Industrial University which later
became the University of Illinois. In 1878 he conducted the early work
on pear blight. 1879-1913 served as vice-president of the University.
2* Farlow, William Gilson 1344-1919
Born near Boston, Mass. Graduated from Harvard in 1866. Received
M.D. degree from Harvard in 1870. Studied in Europe 2 years, 1872-1874,
mostly with DeBary. Applied economic aspects of mycology at Bussey Institute from 1874-1879• First professor of eryptogamic botany in U.S.
Most renowned publications: New England Algaej in 1837 with Trelease
published a complete bibliography of all articles on American fungi; in
18S1 with Seymour, the Host Index to Fungi in the U.S.; and the Bibli-
ographicallndex of North American Fungi.
3- Thaxter, Roland 1858-1932
Born in Newtonville, Mass*, Aug. 28, 1858. Graduated from Harvard
in 1382. Attended medical school l| yrs. but later entered Harvard
Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Served as Farlow*s assistant and
received the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees under Farlow*s direction in 1887 and
1838. Botanist at Connecticut Ag; Expt. Sta. 1883-1891. Assistant
Prof, at Harvard 1891 as Farlow1s associate in Cryptogamic Botany.
Early in his career he established the order Myxobacteriaceae. Most monumental contribution was his Monograph on the Laboulbeniaceae; he was
working on the 6th volume of this publication at the time of his death.
4. Arthur, Joseph Charles 1850-1942
Born Jan. 11, 1850 in northern N.Y. State. Family moved to Iowa
when Arthur was 6. Received B.S- Degree in 1872 from Iowa State College.
Received the M.S. Degree also from Iowa. In 1384 he was elected Botanist of Ag. Expt. Sta. at Geneva, N.Y.j first such position in the U.S.
Received D.Sc, from Cornell in 1886. Called to Purdue in 1887 and served as Prof, in the '3ot. Dept. until 1?15 and as Prof. Emeritus until
1942. First to recommend formaldehyde for potato scab control. Most*
renowned for work tfita rusts. Published 289 papers, 150 on rusts. Most
pretentions work> arc: his treatment of the North American Uredinales
for the North tmericen  Mora; Th> Plant Rusts published in cooperation
with 6 associates, and the Menu a.*, ox Rusts in the U.S. and Canada—the
latter was illustrated by GEORGE B. CUMMINS who is at present Arthur's rvost
renoraea studont at purduaf
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