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King of Colorado Botany: Charles Christopher Parry, 1823-1890
King of Colorado Botany Charles Christopher Parry 18231890 Author:William A. Weber The name Charles Christopher Parry (1823-1890) is well known to botanists worldwide. Leaving a very brief medical practice in Davenport, IA (1846-1849), Parry joined the Mexican Boundary Survey as assistant surgeon; botanized with Edward Palmer in Mexico (including Baja California), Utah, and California; and joined a reconnaissance in Wyoming wi... more »th Capt. William A. Jones. Parry was an avid botanical explorer, and many species of plants bear his name. He is not to be confused with Sir William Edward Parry, 1790 - 1855, the English navigator and Arctic explorer.
Parry’s greatest contribution to science is probably his exploration of the southern Rocky Mountains of Colorado; through the distribution of his botanical collections he introduced the Colorado flora to the world. He was also fascinated with mountains, and he made barometric observations that permitted the first accurate estimations of the altitudes of the high peaks of Colorado.
Dr. Parry was recognized as an authority by botanists everywhere, not only in this country (where he ranked with the first) and in England, but on the Continent as well; and this notwithstanding the fact that he never published a book, had no ambition in the way of authorship, and left most of his discoveries to be described by others.« less