Charles Plumier

Charles Plumier (April 20, 1646-November 20, 1704) was a French botanist, after whom the genus Plumeria (originally named Plumiera) is named.

Related Topics:
April 20 - 1646 - November 20 - 1704 - Plumeria

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Born in Marseilles, at the age of sixteen he entered the religious order of the Minims. He devoted himself to the study of mathematics and physics, made physical instruments, and was an excellent draughtsman, painter, and turner.

Related Topics:
Marseilles - Minims - Mathematics - Physics

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On being sent to the French monastery of Trinità dei Monti at Rome, Plumier studied botany under two members of the order, and especially under the Cistercian botanist, Paolo Boccone. After his return to France he became a pupil of Joseph Pitton de Tournefort, whom he accompanied on botanical expeditions.

Related Topics:
Rome - Botany - Cistercian - Paolo Boccone - Joseph Pitton de Tournefort

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He also explored the coasts of Provence and Languedoc. His work began in 1689, when, by order of the government, he accompanied Surian to the French Antilles. As this first journey proved very successful, Plumier was appointed royal botanist; in 1693, by command of Louis XIV of France, he made his second journey, and in 1695 his third journey to the Antilles and Central America. While in the West Indies he was assisted by the Dominican botanist Jean-Baptiste Labat. In 1704, when about to start on his fourth journey, intending to visit the home of the true cinchona tree in Peru, he was taken ill with pleurisy and died at Puerto de Santa Maria near Cadiz.

Related Topics:
Provence - Languedoc - 1689 - Antilles - Louis XIV of France - Central America - Dominican - Jean-Baptiste Labat - Cinchona - Peru - Pleurisy - Puerto de Santa Maria - Cadiz

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