Nathaniel Lord Britton

American botanist

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June 22, 2026

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Nathaniel Lord Britton was an American botanist and professor at Columbia University. He was instrumental in founding the New York Botanical Garden in 1891, serving as its first director. Under his leadership, the garden initiated extensive botanical exploration programs, particularly in South America. Britton's wife, Elizabeth Gertrude Knight Britton, was also a notable botanist, specializing in the study of mosses and co-founding the Wild Flower Preservation Society of America.12

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New York Botanical Garden
…largely through the efforts of Nathaniel Lord Britton, a professor of botany at Columbia University. It was opened to the public in 1900. As the garden’s first director, Britton initiated a program of botanical exploration that continues today, with studies being conducted in South America, especially the rainforests of the…
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…largely through the efforts of Nathaniel Lord Britton, a professor of botany at Columbia University. It was opened to the public in 1900. As the garden’s first director, Britton initiated a program of botanical exploration that continues today, with studies being conducted in South America, especially the rainforests of the…
Read More