Torrey, John (1796–1873)

US botanist who specialized in forms of plant life indigenous to North America and helped to create the Botanical Gardens in New York. He published several books on the botany of America, including A Catalogue of Plants ... within 30 miles of the city of New York 1819 and Flora of North America 1838–43.

Torrey was born in New York and studied medicine at the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons, from where he graduated with his MD 1818. He initially practised medicine in New York but maintained his interests in mineralogy and botany, classifying many plant specimens. In 1824, he was appointed professor of chemistry, mineralogy, and geology at West Point. In 1827, he returned to the New York College of Physicians and Surgeons as the newly appointed professor of chemistry. During this period, he also taught natural history and chemistry at the College of New Jersey (now Princeton).