Ralph Johnson's notebook

Abstract

A botanical notebook is identified as Ralph Johnson's (1629–1695) of Brignall in North Yorkshire. Johnson was a great friend of John Ray (1627–1705). The dates of the notebook are established as 1649–1672, the botanical notes having been made in 1671–1672. The notebook demonstrates that Ray put Johnson's interest in botany on a scientific basis, in line with Johnson's studies of birds and fishes. It also permits a personal insight into the impact of the first edition of Ray's Catalogus Plantarum Angliae (1670) on British botany. The notebook demonstrates Ray's personal influence on the botanical discovery of Upper Teesdale, one of our most important botanical areas. An attempt is made to rectify the situation whereby Johnson is totally overlooked, despite Ray's very high opinion of him as a naturalist.