Albert Ernest Radford
Encyclopedia
Albert Ernest Radford was an American botanist
active in the Southeastern United States
. He was best known for his work as senior author of Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas, the definitive flora for North Carolina
and South Carolina
.
to Albert and Eloise Moseley Radford, one of nine children. He was educated at Junior College of Augusta, Furman University
(B.S., 1939) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
(Ph.D., 1948). He served in the 51st Engineer Combat Battalion of the United States Army during World War II
and saw action in North Africa and Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge
, for which his batallion was awarded the Croix de Guerre.
He and his wife (married 1941), Laurie Stewart Radford (1910–2004), had three children, David, John, and Linda. Albert was Professor of Botany at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for forty years and director of the University of North Carolina Herbarium for 23 years.
Professionally, he served as President of the Elisha Mitchell
Scientific Society and of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Club. Besides his academic work in botany, he was active in conservation
of natural areas in the Southeastern United States
. One of his most significant accomplishments was the discovery of an unusual plant community which has since become protected as Steven's Creek Heritage Preserve
. Among his students was ethnobotanist James A. Duke. His grandson Phil Radford is executive director of Greenpeace.
Botany
Botany, plant science, or plant biology is a branch of biology that involves the scientific study of plant life. Traditionally, botany also included the study of fungi, algae and viruses...
active in the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
. He was best known for his work as senior author of Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas, the definitive flora for North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
.
Biography
Radford was born in Augusta, GeorgiaAugusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
to Albert and Eloise Moseley Radford, one of nine children. He was educated at Junior College of Augusta, Furman University
Furman University
Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina...
(B.S., 1939) and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is a public research university located in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, United States...
(Ph.D., 1948). He served in the 51st Engineer Combat Battalion of the United States Army during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
and saw action in North Africa and Europe, including the Battle of the Bulge
Battle of the Bulge
The Battle of the Bulge was a major German offensive , launched toward the end of World War II through the densely forested Ardennes mountain region of Wallonia in Belgium, hence its French name , and France and...
, for which his batallion was awarded the Croix de Guerre.
He and his wife (married 1941), Laurie Stewart Radford (1910–2004), had three children, David, John, and Linda. Albert was Professor of Botany at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill for forty years and director of the University of North Carolina Herbarium for 23 years.
Professionally, he served as President of the Elisha Mitchell
Elisha Mitchell
Elisha Mitchell was born in Washington, Connecticut. As a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, in 1835, he measured the height of Mt. Mitchell. Mt. Mitchell is the highest point east of the Mississippi River. It is located in North Carolina and is 6,684 feet high...
Scientific Society and of the Southern Appalachian Botanical Club. Besides his academic work in botany, he was active in conservation
Conservation biology
Conservation biology is the scientific study of the nature and status of Earth's biodiversity with the aim of protecting species, their habitats, and ecosystems from excessive rates of extinction...
of natural areas in the Southeastern United States
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
. One of his most significant accomplishments was the discovery of an unusual plant community which has since become protected as Steven's Creek Heritage Preserve
Steven's Creek Heritage Preserve
Steven's Creek Heritage Preserve is a park which is managed by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. It covers in McCormick County and Edgefield County, and was established to protect rare animal and plant species. Webster's Salamander and Miccosukee gooseberry are among the species...
. Among his students was ethnobotanist James A. Duke. His grandson Phil Radford is executive director of Greenpeace.
Works
- Albert Radford, H.E. Ahles, and C. R. Bell (1968). Manual of the Vascular Flora of the Carolinas. Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-1087-8.
- Vascular Plant Systematics (1974). New York: Harper and Row.
- Fundamentals of Plant Systematics (1986). New York: Harper & Row. ISBN 0-06-350594-0.
- Natural Heritage: Classification, Inventory, and Information (1981). Chapel Hill, North Carolina: University of North Carolina Press. ISBN 0-8078-1463-6.
- Unbroken Line: the 51st Engineer Combat Battalion from Normandy to Munich (2002); with Laurie S. Radford and John S. Radford. CrossMountain Publishing, Woodside, CA. ISBN 0971763801 http://www.51st-engineers.com/index.htm