JOHN W. THIERET (1926-2005)

2006·9.5 MB·English

by  Ralph L Thompson

W
JOHN THIERET
(1926-2005)
L.Thompson
Ralph
Berea College Herbarium
Department
Biology
Bereo College
Kentucky ^0404-21 21
Berea, U.S.A.
ABSTRACT
W
John Thicret (1926-2005), an internationally recognized American plant taxonomist, remem-
is
bered as a consummate field botanist, exemplary teacher acclaimed author, superb editor, Fine her-
barium director, inspiring mentor to students and colleagues, and noble friend.
RESUMEN
Johti W. Thieret (1926-2005), taxonomo dc plantas cstadounidense reconocido en todo mundo, es
el
recordado como un consumado botanico de canipo, un profesor ejcmplar, un aucor aclamado, un
como
magnifico redactor, un excelente director de herbario, una inspiracion mentor para sus
estudiantes y colegas, y un noble amigo.
One of the most renowned American plant taxonomists of the 20th century
has died. with great sadness and a profound sense of loss that this reflective
It is
tribute written about the and career of John W. Thieret, Professor Emeri-
is life
tus of Biological Sciences at Northern Kentucky University retired Director of
Northern Kentucky Herbarium, and
the University Associate Editor of Sida,
Academy
and Kentucky
Contrihutions Botany, Editor of ihe Journal the
to of of
home
John aneurysm Ken-
Science (JK suffered a brain at his in Alexandria,
AS).
tucky on 6 December 2005, while editing a manuscript the JKAS. He never
for
regained consciousness and died on December He was 79 years
7 old.
John William Thieret was born on August Chicago, the
1926, in Illinois,
1
only child of Hans and Lorena Thieret. Growing up, he was interested in plants
and became an avid student of botany during his school days at Hyde Park High
School. At Hyde Park, John met his future wife, Mildred Wolf, fittingly in a
moved
botany class. After working briefly in Chicago, John to Logan, Utah, to
moved
study Utah Three Mildred Logan
at State University. years later, also to
and attended Utah They were married on March by one
State. 13 1950, ot their
completing Evolution exams. Both earned
professors, after their final their
B.S.
degrees in 1950;Johns in Botany and Mildred's in Bacteriology. They remained
at Utah State University for graduate work and in 1951, John earned his M.S. in
Botany with a thesis in barley genetics and Mildred completed her M.S. in Bac-
teriology They then returned Chicago, where John attended the University
to
of Chicago to work on his doctorate under Theodor K.Just, Chief Curator of the
m
Museum
Chicago Field of Natural History. John received his Ph.D. Botany in
SIDA22(1):3-19,2006
4 BRiT.ORG/SIDA 22(1]
John's senior high school photo at Hyde Park High School, Chicago, ca. 1946.
1953. The of Johns dissertation was ''Gross MorpJiohgy the Seeds the
title of of
and
Scrophulariaceae
Classification the
of Family.''''
Later in 1953 John became Assistant Curator of Economic Botany at the
Museum
Chicago and then Curator Economic Botany from 1954
Field of to 1961.
While Museum, made
at the Field he collecting trips to Cuba, Mexico, the north-
THOMPSON,JOHNW.THIERET:HIS AND CAREER 5
LIFE
and Northwest Canada.
ern Great Plains of the United States, the Territories of
and
John authored 26 pubhcations during that time his special int(
Poaceae and Scrophulariaceae were ^ Joh
e
new Museum. He
nomenclatural combinations while the Field
lished five at
also wrote three articles on the flora and vegetation of the Canadian Northwest
Territories.
Museum become and
Associate Professor later Profes-
Joh n the Field to
left
(USD
from
sor of Biology at the University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette
USU and
At he sponsored undergraduate research projects, directed
1961 to 1973.
John
During conducted
six M.S. theses and one Ph.D. dissertation. this period
with an em-
most of his personal research in the southeastern United States,
phasis on the Louisiana flora. At USL. he authored or co-authored 47 articles.
m
new
named he discovered Louisiana:
John four plant species to science that
&
Cyperus Thieret Deh^houssaye; Cypcrus louisuincnsis Thieret;
hrcvijolioidcs
From
and Limuophila ludoviciana Thieret. his
louisiancnsis Thieret; x
Isoetes
He
work USUJohn published nomenclatural combinations. also published
at 11
more
United
his two generic flora treatments of the southeastern States, five
first
Canadian Northwest and
articles from his investigations in the Territories, sev-
new United North American plant records.
States or
eral
m
when
move
John made his final academic career 1973, he joined the fac-
(NKU) Highland
uUy Northern Kentucky University in Heights, as Profes-
at
The
sor and Chair of the Department of Biological Sciences. opportunity to teach
NKU, the presence of the Lloyd Library in Cincinnati, and relocating his fam-
at
hve in a cooler climate, were especially appealing to him. John served as
ily to
with
Chair 1980 and continued as Professor until retiring in 1992, the title
until
Emeritus
Professor of Biological Sciences.
John loved teaching and was an exemplary teacher in the classroom, labo-
and His challenging, enjoyable, informative, popular,
classes w^cre
ratory,
field.
many He was
always
and he helped students reach their potential. avail-
full
able to students and colleagues for discussions about botany, academics, or just
was providing students with actual plant
about John a strong believer in
life.
and went
specimens, either fresh or dried, for a "hands-on" approach, he to great
was
botany
effort to accoinphsh that goal, hi the field, John^s passion for espe-
with
contagious and he always rejuvenated after a field trip students.
cially felt
and enthusiasm botany, especially plant
John generously shared his expertise for
taxonomy, with students, colleagues, and the general public for 32 years. His
exuberance, magnetic personality and knowledge were inspirations to every-
one touched.
his activities
van
John at
m
ous biological field stations. He served as Visiting Lecturer Botany at the Itasca
Oklahoma
University Minnesota; the Biological Station,
Biological Station, of
Michigan;
Oklahoma; Michigan University of
University the Biological Station,
of
6
BRIT.ORG/SIDA
22(1)
John's faculty photo at University of Southwestern Louisiana, Lafayette, 1972
and the Franz Theodore Stone Laboratory, Ohio State University.John enjoyed
and
the flora of cooler climates, biological stations provided Mildred and
his
children (Robert, Nancy, Richard, Jeffrey and Jennifer) new environments
to
He
experience. also conducted major
field travels in the southeastern, south-
and
western, northwestern United States, the Great Basin of Nevada and Utah,
and Canadian
the Newfoundland, and
Arctic,
Ontario.
THOMPSON, JOHN W.THIERET: HIS LIFE AND CAREER 7
^
#
John with Fraser magnolia in West Virginia during 1998 (D.M. Brandenburg).
John authored or co-authored with other botanists, 58 relereed jourtial ar-
NKU. He and
frequently collaborated in research activities publica-
ticles at
with current and former undergraduate and graduate students and
tions
NKU
younger colleagues. Indeed, he was a mentor whose enthusiasm was con-
8 BRIT.ORG/SIDA 22(1)
many
tagious and inspired botanists irom other institutions pursue research
to
activities. The scope of h collaborative research ranged from investigations in
is
Kentucky, research elsewhere in the United States, to the massive North America
John was prime mover and Kentucky
flora project. the inspiration of the Ilora
project, which culminated with the publication of Ronald LJones^ Plant Life of
KcnlUikym John and
served as Editorial Associate contributed the treat-
2005.
ment Poaceae comprehensive
of the for this flora.
NKUJohn
During his tenure at w^as the author or co-author of five books.
These books were Louisuuia Ferns Fern Aquatie and Wet-
entitled: cuui Allies]
A
land Plants of Kcntuehy; Trees: Quick Reference Guide to Trees of North
America: Assessment a}]d Management Plant Invasions; and National Audii^
of
Society Field Guide North Anjcrican Wildjlowers: Eastern Region. His
ho}\ to
books continue serve inany audiences, Irom professional botanists ama-
to to
teur plant enthusiasts.
One John Thierets crowning achievements was establishing the North-
ol
(KNK)
ern Kentucky Universit)' Herbariuni in 1973. As Director, he built
its first
herbarmm
the from his personal collections, additions by colleagues and stu-
dents, and through an active specimen exchange with various national and
KNK
mounted
international herbaria. Currently, has over 35,000 specimens
with strong representation from Kentucky, the Southeast, and the Midwest. The
KNK
among
collection has the highest species diversity Kentucky herbaria cok
KNK
lections. Through his clforts, the herbarium has become the best-curated
herbarium Kentucky. John donated 600 book
in his entire reference library to
herbarium
the further support botanical research.
to
John was consummate whose and
a field botanist excellent field abilities
extensiveexpcriences were components accomplish mentsT lehad
essential of his
memory
an ncredible for all of the plants that he had ever encountered and w^ould
[
make
accurate field identifications even he had seen the plants only once
il
from several decades ago. This lifetime inventory combined with an amazing
eye for detail enabled John to locate species that others would pass. John made an
number new
astounding United and North American
ol state, regional, States,
plant records during his career Most contemporary alpha plant taxonomists
concentrate their stud)' on a few groups, write floras at the local or state level,
pursue floristics, or other taxonomic works. John was one of the last of a rare and
remarkable group naturalists whose breadth and depth knowledge
ol field of
of botanical throughout the United States and Canada was unparalleled in
life
his later years. He was an ardent plant collector throughout his professional
with specimen numbers
career accession over 62,000.J(^hn accurately identified
own
plants he deposited into various herbaria and meticulously mounted his
all
plant specimens.
was
John Thieret an internationally know^n botanist, excellent educator,
He
wise scholar, and gentleman. deady loved his fannly, and after family, his
THOMPSON, JOHN W.THIERET: HIS LIFE AND CAREER 9
John in the NKU herbarium, one his crowning achievements at Northern Kentucky University.
10
BRIT.ORG/SIDA 22(1)
great passion was plants. Although John was focused on plant taxonomy and
new
learning plants his entire life, he had other diverse interests including clas-
He
sical music, particularly opera. also enjoyed sharing his knowledge be-
far
yond botany and
the natural sciences through verbal discourse about diverse
and
topics history
in literature, art, religion, the social sciences.
Scientists olten are judged by the number of articles by them or about them.
any measure John
If this is of a person, stands taller than a coastal redwood. Dur-
ing his professional career,John authored at least 157 re fereed journal articles and
book
articles. Forty-tw^o articles appeared \nSida,ContribuiioustoBotany, which
was He
his favorite journal. also regulady published Bartonla, Canadian Fidd-
in
NatiuxjUstXc^stanca.Economic BotanyJournalojihc Arnold ArborctuniRhodora,
Taxon, and Transactions/Journal the Kcntuchy Academy ScicnccAn addmon
of of
and
to books, journal articles, 19 nomcnclatural combinations, John wrote 136
book vcvie\ys,65 aniclcskv Encyclopaedia Britannica, civUchshr Encyclope-
-^6
many
Americana, and
dia popular
science
articles.
John served several signilicant editorships and advisory during
roles his
He was Member
professional career a of the Editorial Board of Economic Bota ny
from
1959-1965, Book Editor of Economic Botany from 1959-1984, Editor from
1986-1990, and Associate Editor from 1992-2002. He was founding Member
a
of the Editorial Board for the Vascular Flora of the Southeastern United States
project from 1981-2005, and wrote seven southeastern generic flora treatments.
John
served as the Associate Editor of Sida, Contributions Botany, from
to
1972-2005, and contributed to its excellence and prestige through his dedicated
work. Barney E. Lipscomb, current Editor of Sicla, Botanical Research Institute
was
of Texas, notes, "John a towering lighthouse to the editors of Sida. stead-
Flis
fast editorial, 'light,^ was a never ending source of guidance and navigation in
keeping on
Sida
a positive course."
From
John
1981-1995, served as Abstract Editor of Transactions the Kcn~
oj
Academy
tuchy Science (TKAS). He then assumed
of the position of Editor of
TKAS
and changed
1996 from
in the Transactions Journal ojthe Ken-
title io
m
Academy
tucky Science (JKAS) 1998 Through
of to better reflect content.
its
effortsjohn JKAS
his greatly enlianced the stature of the as multi-disciplin-
a
ary journal of and regional
state scientific literature.
During 1983-2005, one most was Mem-
of his significant serving
roles as a
ber of the Editorial Committee of the monumental multi-volume E/ora
project,
America He
ojNori h North ojMexico. edited the 10 published volumes and
first
prepared25fami]y and was
generic treatments. John also an Advisor Botany
in
for Encyclopaedia Britannica from 1959-2005 and Member Advisory
a of the
Committee
the Floyd Library Cincinnati from 1992-2005.
at in
John loved editing and hisabilitv as an editor was extraordinary He was
a
and
perfectionist a superEuive editor second none, but always
to his efforts
who
brought
out the best in authors. Those submitted manuscripts
for John's
H
n
THOMPSONJOHNW.THIERET: HIS LIFE AND CAREER
editorial scrutiny often found them returned witfi a profusion of red ink on the
When
recommended
printed his changes were made, the greatly improved
text.
manuscripts always
told the story better
many
One
John received awards and honors during most
his career. of his
esteemed honors was having a mint in the Lamiaceae that he discovered in Loui-
named named new
siana for him. In 1964, botanist Lloyd H. Shinners this spe-
cies Scutellaria thieretii Shinners.
He
received the 1984 Distinguished Kentucky College/University Scien-
Award from Kentucky Academy academic
tist the of Science for his significant
and Commonwealth. was
research teaching contributions the John recently
to
presented the 2005 Outstanding Academy Service Award from the Kentucky
Academy
of Science for his outstanding editorial contributions to the JKAS.
To commemorate his contributions to the Northern Kentucky University
W
Herbarium, was officially renamed The John Thieret Herbarium by the
it
Northern Kentucky University Board Regents on 22 March 2006.
of
In 1994, he established The John W. Thieret Research Award as an annual
NKU
who
award to the biological sciences student accomplished the most sig-
The would
nificant research. Thieret family like to continue this student honor,
memory
and have asked that donations in his be sent to the Northern Kentucky
University Foundation, designated that research award.
to
John survived by his devoted wife of 55 years, Mildred Thieret, his five
is
children, Robert, Nancy, and Jeffrey in Minnesota, Richard in China, and Jenni-
Kentucky and
fer in seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren.
John was one North American taxonomy
Thieret of the patriarchs of plant
and one of the last great field naturalists of the 20th century His death marks
many
the ending of a botanical era, but his legacy continues through the work of
former students and colleagues, John was an inspiring and stabilizing mentor
who who knew He
enriched the lives of those him. will be greatly missed by
all.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
am
memories
especially grateful Mildred Thieret graciously sharing her
to for
I
about John and providing photographs her husband. acknowledge con-
of also
1
tributions from Barney Lipscomb, Botanical Research Institute of Texas,
L.
Ronald L.Jones, Eastern Kentucky University David M. Brandenburg, Dawes
Arboretum, James O. Luken, Coastal Carolina University, and Debra K. Pearce,
Northern Kentucky University
REFEREED PUBLICATIONS
BairdJ.R. and J.WThieret. 1985. Notes on Themedo quadivolvis [Poaceae] in Louisiana. Iselya
2:129-137.
1988The
BAiRDj.R.and J.WThieret. bur gherkin {Cucumis anguria angaria, Cucurbildede).
vat.
Econ.Bot. 42:447-451.
.
12 BRILORG/SIDA
22(1)
BAiRDj.R.and J.W,T[iieret. 1989. The medlar {Mespilus germonlca,Rosaceae) from antiquity
to obscurity. Econ.Bot. 43:328-372.
BAiRDj.R.and J.W. ]993. Spartina. IHickman, ed.The Jepson manual: higher
TiiirREi. In: J.C,
plants of California. University of California Press, Berkeley and Los Angeles, Pp. 1296-
1297.
Beau E.O. and J.W. Thii ret. 986. Aquatic and wetland plants of Kentucky. Kentucky State
1
Nature Preserves Commission, Scientific and Technical Series, Number Frankfort.
5,
Brandenburg, D.M., W.H. Blackwell, and J.W. Thieret. 991 Revision of the genus CInna
1
.
(Poaceae).Sida 14:581-596.
Brandenburg, D.M.J.E.Estes, S.B.Russell, and J.W. Thieret. 1991 .One-nerved paleas in Cinna
orundinacea (Poaceae). Trans. Kentucky Acad, 52:94-96.
L. Sci.
D.M and
Brandenburg, J.E. Estes, J.W.T[hieret. 991 Hard grass {Sclerochloo dura, Poaceae)
in
1
.
ie United States. Sida 14:369-376.
and
Brandenburg, D.M. J.W. Thieret. 1996. Sclerochloo dura (Poaceae) Kentucky. Ken-
in
J.
tucky Acad. 57:47-48.
Sci.
Brandenburg, D.M. and J.W. Thieret. 2000. Cinna and Limnodea (Poaceae): not congeneric.
19:195-200.
Sida
and
Brandenburg, D.M. J.W. Thifrft. 2003. Fp/pacf/s helleborine (Orchidaceae) Kentucky,
in
with overview of literature on biology of the species. Kentucky Acad. 64:55-74.
Sci.
J.
BuDDELLll,GT.and J.W.Thieret. 1985. Notes on fr/gen/a5Ly/6osa(Apiaceae).Bartonia 1:69-76.
5
and
Buddell G.F. J.W. Tmifrft. 997. Saururaceae. Flora of North America Editorial
In:
II, 1
Commitee,eds. Flora of North America,Vol. Oxford Univ.Press,New Yorkand Oxford,
3.
37-38.
Pp.
Buddell TG.F.and J.W. TiiERET. 2004. Lobed leaves in Sa//xex/gua, sandbar willow (Salicaceae),
Kentucky. Kentucky Acad.
65:5
in Sci.
J.
1
M.L and ]985.Amphibromus
Calaway, (Gramineae)
J.W. Thieret. scabrivalvis Louisiana.
in
Sida 11:207-214.
Land
The duckweeds
Clark, H. J.W. 1968. of Minnesota. Michigan 7:67-76.
Thieret. Bot,
Clark, R.G., R.L. Jones, T.J. Weckman, R.L Thompson, J.W. Thieret, Kentucky State Nature Preserves
Commission, and K.Feeman. 2005. State records and other noteworthy collections Ken-
for
21:1909-1916.
tucky. Sida
and
Cramfill, R. J.W. Thieret. 1981. Thirty additions to the vascular flora of Kentucky. Sida
9:55-58.
and subgenus
Dllahoussaye, A.J., J.W. Thifret. 1967. Cyperus Kyllinga (Cyperaceae) the
in
continental United 28-1
States. Sida 3:1 36.
and gymnosperm
Eckenwalder, J.E. J.W. Thieret. 1993. Keys to families. Flora of North
In:
America Editorial Committee, eds. Flora of North America, Vol. 2. Oxford Univ. Press,
New
York and Oxford. 345-346.
Po.
New
EvERS,R.A.and J.W, Thieret. 1957. plant records: Illinois and Indiana. Rhodora 59:181.
HALL,D,W.and J.W.THiERET.2003.C/^ry5opogon.ln:Elora of North America Commit-
Editorial
New
tee, eds. Flora of North America, Vol. 25. Oxford Univ. Press, York and Oxford. Pp.
633-636.
HARTMAN,R.L,,J.W.TLiirRFT,and R.K.RABELER.2005.Paronyc/i/a,ln:Flora of North America Edito-