QBARS - v23n2 Dr. Wyman Receives Veitch Medal

Dr. Wyman Receives Veitch Medal

Dr. Donald Wyman, Horticulturist at the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University, has been awarded a Veitch Memorial Medal, in gold, by the Royal Horticultural Society of London, England. This is the highest award the Society can bestow on a foreign national. The Veitch Medals have been awarded annually since 1923 by the Royal Horticultural Society under the terms of the Veitch Memorial Trust to "...those who have helped in the advancement and improvement of the science and practice of horticulture..." The Veitch Memorial Trust was established in 1870 to commemorate the activities of James Veitch (1815-1869), the founder of the famous British nursery firm.

Since coming to the Arnold Arboretum in 1935, Dr. Wyman has published some 1,000 articles, and five books, dealing with hardy woody plants. Few contemporary horticulturists have done more to advance and improve the science and practice of horticulture as it is reflected in the popular use of hardy woody plants in North America.

From two to seven horticulturists each year are chosen to receive a Veitch Memorial Medal in gold. In the forty-six years that the Royal Horticultural Society has been making the awards, only ten North American horticulturists have been selected for recognition. Three of the medalists have been connected with the Arnold Arboretum: E. H. Wilson, plant explorer and horticultural writer; W. H. Judd, propagator; and Dr. Wyman.

Dr. Wyman has held office in American Association of Botanic Gardens and Arboretums, American Society for Horticultural Science, Massachusetts Horticultural Society, American Horticultural Council, American Horticultural Society.

Born in Templeton, Calif., he holds the B.S. (1926) from Pennsylvania State University and the Ph.D. (1935) from Cornell. He lives in Weston, Mass.