Luther Burbank

Luther Burbank (March 7, 1849–April 11, 1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist, and pioneer of agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-year career. Burbank's varied creations included fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables. He developed a spineless cactus (useful for cattle-feed) and the plumcot.

Legacy

Burbank's work spurred the passing of the 1930 Plant Patent Act four years after his death. The legislation made it possible to patent new varieties of plants (excluding tuber-propagated plants). In supporting the legislation, Thomas Edison testified before Congress in support of the legislation and said that "This will, I feel sure, give us many Burbanks." The authorities issued Plant Patents #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #18, #41, #65, #66, #235, #266, #267, #269, #290, #291, and #1041 to Burbank posthumously.

Related Topics:
1930 - Plant Patent Act - Tuber - Thomas Edison - Congress

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In 1986, Burbank was inducted into the National Inventors Hall of Fame. His home and gardens in downtown Santa Rosa are designated as a National Historic Landmark.

Related Topics:
1986 - National Inventors Hall of Fame - National Historic Landmark

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The town of Burbank, California, does not take its name from Burbank, but from the Los Angeles dentist David Burbank; however, the horticulturist gave his name to Luther Burbank Middle School in Burbank. The Luther Burbank School District in San Jose and the Luther Burbank Center for the Arts in Santa Rosa (and that city's Luther Burbank Rose Parade and Festival) also honor Luther Burbank.

Related Topics:
Burbank, California - Los Angeles - David Burbank - Luther Burbank School District - San Jose - Santa Rosa

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The University of Wisconsin's Digital Collections Center has digitized and published online the 12-volume monographic series Luther Burbank: His Methods and Discoveries, which documents Burbank's methods and discoveries and their practical application.

Related Topics:
University of Wisconsin - Digital Collections Center

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The standard botanical author abbreviation for Burbank consists simply of "Burbank".

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