Farewell to a Giant of Botany
Peter Raven, a renowned botanist and conservationist known for coining the term "coevolution," passed away at the age of 89 on April 25, 2026. He transformed the Missouri Botanical Garden into a world-class research and conservation institution during his 39-year leadership from 1971 to 2010. Raven's scientific collaborations, educational initiatives, and global conservation efforts left a lasting legacy in both the botanical world and the St. Louis community.
- ▪Peter Raven became director of the Missouri Botanical Garden in 1971 at the age of 35 and led it until his retirement in 2010.
- ▪He co-authored a seminal paper with Paul Ehrlich that introduced the concept of "coevolution" between plants and herbivores.
- ▪Raven expanded the Missouri Botanical Garden's facilities, including the Japanese Garden and the Doris I. Schnuck Children’s Garden.
- ▪He initiated international botanical research collaborations in countries such as China, Peru, and Madagascar.
- ▪Raven received numerous honors, including the National Medal of Science and a MacArthur Fellowship.
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