George A. Walker Arnott

British botanist (1799–1868)

George Arnott Walker Arnott of Arlary (6 February 1799 – 17 April 1868) was a Scottish botanist. He collaborated with botanists from around the world and served as a regius professor of botany at the University of Glasgow. An orchid genus Arnottia was named in his honour in 1828.

George Arnott Walker Arnott was born in Edinburgh in 1799, the son of David Walker Arnott of Arlary (near Kinross). He grew up in Edenshead and Arlary, and attended Milnathort Parish School then the High School of Edinburgh from 1807. He received an AM degree in 1818. He took to mathematics and was recognized by Sir John Leslie and John Playfair. He wrote articles in Tilloch's Philosophical Magazine on Observations on the Solution of Exponential Equations (1817) and Comparison between the Chords of Arcs employed by Ptolemy and those now in use (1818). He then joined to study law in Edinburgh from 1821. In 1822 his father died and he became heir to the estate in Arlary. Finding law boring, he preferred the lectures of Professor Robert Jameson and John Stewart. He also attended the classes of Robert Kaye Greville on cryptogams. he moved to France and began to examine the herbaria of Baron Delessert there. He also attended the classes of Adrien de Jussieu. He wrote on a classification of the mosses, and for this he was soon elected Fellow of the Linnean Society in 1825. He also made a collection of diatoms.

Arnott travelled in Spain and Russia in 1828 1829. He then began to work with Sir William Jackson Hooker, examining the collections from Captain Beechey's voyage and those of other collectors including Alexander Collie. This took ten years and helped establish a reputation. He described species from across the world, writing and collaborating with numerous correspondents. With his contemporary from high school Robert Wight, he collaborated on plants from India. He received an LLD in 1837 from the University of Aberdeen. He replaced Hooker as lecturer at Glasgow University in 1839 and became Regius Professor of Botany in 1845, a position he held until his death. Among his students was John Lindsay Stewart.

George Arnott Walker Arnott was a Scottish botanist renowned for his contributions to the study of plants, particularly ferns. His achievements include:

Botanical Research: Arnott made significant contributions to the study of ferns, particularly in the classification and morphology of the group. His work on ferns was highly regarded by his contemporaries and laid the foundation for further research in this field. Fern Taxonomy: Arnott's systematic studies helped in the classification and understanding of fern species. His taxonomical work provided important insights into the diversity and relationships among ferns. Publications: Arnott authored several important botanical publications, including "The Natural History of British Ferns" and "Fragments of the Natural History of Pennsylvania." These works not only contributed to scientific knowledge but also helped in popularizing the study of ferns. Professional Associations: Arnott was a member of various scientific societies, including the Linnean Society of London and the Royal Society of Edinburgh. His involvement in these organizations facilitated the exchange of ideas and collaboration with other scientists. Overall, George Arnott Walker Arnott's legacy lies in his pioneering work in the field of botany, particularly in advancing our understanding of ferns through meticulous research and publications.