Chair of Botany and Plant Physiology (1906 - 1973)

Botany was first taught in the University of Melbourne by Professor Frederick McCoy, who was appointed to the Foundation Chair of Natural Science in 1854. It was the last of the subject areas encompassed in the original chair of Natural Science to gain a professorship in its own right. Prior to the arrival of the foundation Professor of Botany Alfred James Ewart in 1906, elementary botany was taught in the biology department.

Events

1854 - 1899	McCoy has two pet 'botanical' projects, the Museum of Natural History and Applied Science, which remained at the University until 1899, eventually becoming the Museum of Victoria, and the System Garden.
1854 - 1899	Though extremely active and enthusiastic, Professor McCoy had to divide his energies between the subjects of zoology, chemistry, geology & botany. He teaches mainly structural botany following The Vegetable Kingdom by John Lindley (1853).
1880s	With the occupance of the biology and chemistry chairs, McCoy isrelieved of some of his teaching load.
1884	Under pressure from the science graduates on the University Council, regulations for a new three year degree in science were formulated.
1887	After the death of the foundation professor of chemistry, course reconstruction occurred Professor Baldwin Spencer, a dedicated zoologist and anthropologist, is appointed and teaches elementary botany in his new Biology department
1896	An Introduction to the Study of Botany was published by Spencer's staff, A. Dendy and A. H. Lucas, with an introduction by Spencer stressing the need for this first text, the teaching of more botany and consideration of Australian flora.
1906	Appointment of Alfred James Ewart to the foundation chair of Botany and Plant Physiology was a joint one, as the Professor of Botany at the University of Melbourne and Victorian Government Botanist.
1916	The octagonal glass house is replaced by a rectangular one on the original site next to the tower.
1921	Ewart is made full time Professor of Botany - The scientific output during his time at the University is astonishing

Previous and Subsequent Entities

 1854 - 1899 Office of the Professor of Natural Science
       1887 - 1919 Chair of Biology
             1906 - 1973 Chair of Botany and Plant Physiology
                   1974 - Chair of Botany (1974)

Academic Department

• School of Botany, Faculty of Science (1906 - )

  [1906 - 1973]

Professors

• Ewart, Alfred James (1872 - 1937)

  First Professor of Botany

  [1906 - 1937]

• Turner, John Stewart (1908 - 1991)

  [1938 - 1973]