Biffen, Rowland Harry (1874–1949)

English botanist and geneticist who produced several wheat hybrids that are resistant to disease. In the development of better hybrids of wheat, he applied Mendel's laws (see Mendelism) and demonstrated for the first time that resistance to yellow rust disease of wheat was inherited.

Biffen was born in Cheltenham and educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge, graduating with a first in natural sciences 1896. Whilst studying botany at Gonville and Caius College, he became interested in agriculture. In 1899, he was made a lecturer in the recently established school of agriculture and was appointed the first chair in agricultural botany 1908. Although Biffen did not enjoy teaching, he was an inspirational head of department. He was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society 1914, awarded the Darwin medal 1920, and knighted 1925. Biffen continued to live in Cambridge until his death.