Hendrick Van Rheede (1636-1691)

Hendrik Van Rheede compiled and published a comprehensive work on the natural botanical wealth of India in his Hortus Malabaracus. Employed by the Dutch East India Company, he was governor of Malabar. When not occupied by official duties, he was an enthusiastic botanist and investigator of Indian sub-tropicl flora. Van Rheede did not have scientific training, but he had an appreciation for Malbar plants and the skills to organize others to carry out the work.