Curtis Gates Lloyd
Encyclopedia
Curtis Gates Lloyd was an American mycologist known for both his research on the Gasteromycetes, as well as his controversial views on naming conventions in taxonomy
. He had a herbarium with over 59,000 fungal specimens, and published over a thousand new species of fungi. Along with his two brothers John Uri Lloyd and Nelson Ashley Lloyd, he founded the Lloyd Library and Museum
in Cincinnati.
, in 1867, where Lloyd lived until he was 18. He moved to Cincinnati and was employed as an apprentice in Johnson's pharmacy. This was where he met Dr. John King, physician and editor of the American Dispensatory; the close friendship they formed helped to fuel Lloyd's interest in botany. Lloyd earned his pharmacy certificate while working at the pharmacy. Later, Lloyd was a salesman with Hale, Justice and Co., a drug supply company, and he began accumulating a personal collection of flowering plants.
and medicine
. Two years later, he and his two brothers became owners of Lloyd Brothers Manufacturing Pharmacists; Curtis Lloyd's specialty was researching pharmaceuticals from medicinal plants.
Lloyd's interest in mycology
was initiated after a meeting with A.P. Morgan in 1887. Soon after, Lloyd directed his attention to the study of the Gasteromycetes, taking field trips and forays to various exotic locales, and collecting more specimens for his growing personal herbarium. In the early 1900s, Lloyd established offices in both Kew
, London and in Paris, France. He began publishing his mycological findings, and quickly gained a reputation for his views on the use of personal names in the identification of fungi. He became well known for publishing tirades against the convention of citing author's names after the generic name and specific epithet of plants and fungi, a practice he called "species-grinding". Because he published privately, Lloyd was free to criticize other mycologists guilty of hastily publishing new species. In the article "The Myths of Mycology" (1917) he wrote,
In 1926, plagued by failing eyesight, Lloyd was forced to retire from his mycological work, and returned to Crittenden, where he lived until his death from complications of diabetes, on November 6, 1926. Most of his wealth was placed in endowment
with the Lloyd Library and Museum
.
Taxonomy
Taxonomy is the science of identifying and naming species, and arranging them into a classification. The field of taxonomy, sometimes referred to as "biological taxonomy", revolves around the description and use of taxonomic units, known as taxa...
. He had a herbarium with over 59,000 fungal specimens, and published over a thousand new species of fungi. Along with his two brothers John Uri Lloyd and Nelson Ashley Lloyd, he founded the Lloyd Library and Museum
Lloyd Library and Museum
The Lloyd Library and Museum is a collection in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, covering medical botany, pharmacy, eclectic medicine, and horticulture. It was initially started from the personal collection of the pharmacist John Uri Lloyd in 1864. In 1919, John Uri Lloyd and his two brothers, Nelson Ashley...
in Cincinnati.
Early life
Curtis Gates Lloyd was the third son of Nelson Marvin and Sophia Webster Lloyd. He and his family moved to Crittenden, KentuckyCrittenden, Kentucky
Crittenden is a city in Grant County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 2,401 at the 2000 census. It was named for Kentucky statesman John J...
, in 1867, where Lloyd lived until he was 18. He moved to Cincinnati and was employed as an apprentice in Johnson's pharmacy. This was where he met Dr. John King, physician and editor of the American Dispensatory; the close friendship they formed helped to fuel Lloyd's interest in botany. Lloyd earned his pharmacy certificate while working at the pharmacy. Later, Lloyd was a salesman with Hale, Justice and Co., a drug supply company, and he began accumulating a personal collection of flowering plants.
Career
Lloyd, together with his brother John Uri, started publishing Drugs and Medicines of North America, a quarterly publication that became popular in the fields of botanyBotany
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...
and medicine
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
. Two years later, he and his two brothers became owners of Lloyd Brothers Manufacturing Pharmacists; Curtis Lloyd's specialty was researching pharmaceuticals from medicinal plants.
Lloyd's interest in mycology
Mycology
Mycology is the branch of biology concerned with the study of fungi, including their genetic and biochemical properties, their taxonomy and their use to humans as a source for tinder, medicinals , food and entheogens, as well as their dangers, such as poisoning or...
was initiated after a meeting with A.P. Morgan in 1887. Soon after, Lloyd directed his attention to the study of the Gasteromycetes, taking field trips and forays to various exotic locales, and collecting more specimens for his growing personal herbarium. In the early 1900s, Lloyd established offices in both Kew
Kew
Kew is a place in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames in South West London. Kew is best known for being the location of the Royal Botanic Gardens, now a World Heritage Site, which includes Kew Palace...
, London and in Paris, France. He began publishing his mycological findings, and quickly gained a reputation for his views on the use of personal names in the identification of fungi. He became well known for publishing tirades against the convention of citing author's names after the generic name and specific epithet of plants and fungi, a practice he called "species-grinding". Because he published privately, Lloyd was free to criticize other mycologists guilty of hastily publishing new species. In the article "The Myths of Mycology" (1917) he wrote,
... the mistakes, blunders, and personal foibles of mycological writers have been my chief source of pleasure. I have never failed to express myself plainly, and have spared neither friend nor antagonist. I have always tried to be good-natured in my comments, and as a general thing the parties affected are taking it more as a joke on themselves and an idiosyncrasy of myself. ... Nor am I deceiving myself into the belief that I will accomplish what I am trying to bring about, the abolition of personal advertisements in mycology.
In 1926, plagued by failing eyesight, Lloyd was forced to retire from his mycological work, and returned to Crittenden, where he lived until his death from complications of diabetes, on November 6, 1926. Most of his wealth was placed in endowment
Financial endowment
A financial endowment is a transfer of money or property donated to an institution. The total value of an institution's investments is often referred to as the institution's endowment and is typically organized as a public charity, private foundation, or trust....
with the Lloyd Library and Museum
Lloyd Library and Museum
The Lloyd Library and Museum is a collection in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA, covering medical botany, pharmacy, eclectic medicine, and horticulture. It was initially started from the personal collection of the pharmacist John Uri Lloyd in 1864. In 1919, John Uri Lloyd and his two brothers, Nelson Ashley...
.
Publications
He published 26 issues of The Bulletin of the Lloyd Library; six of these were written by him on mycological subjects. He also published 75 issues of Mycological Notes over a period of 28 years (1898–1925).- (1908). Mycological Notes 2: 205–412.
- (1912). Index of Mycological Writings 4 (39): 510–540. Cincinnati, Ohio; Lloyd.
- (1916). Puerto Rican collections. Mycological Writings 5: 582, 1 fig.
- (1916). Puerto Rican collections (letter 63: 8, 13). Mycological Writings 5: 626, 1 fig.
- (1917). Notes on the Xylarias. Mycological Writings 5: 675–679.
- (1917). Notes on the Xylarias. Mycological Writings (Myc. Notes No 51) 5: 724–725.
- (1917). The globose Xilarias. Mycological Writings (Myc. Notes No 51) 5: 727-728.
- (1917). Rare or interesting fungi. Mycological Writings (Myc. Notes No 51) 5: 729–732.
- (1917). Aleurodiscus vitellinus. Mycological Writings (Myc. Notes No 52) 5: 736–737, 1 fig.
- (1917). Letter No. 65. March 1917. Mycological Writings 1–16.
- (1917). The genus Cyttaria. Mycological Writings No. 48 5: 671–674.
- (1917). Puerto Rican collections. Mycological Writings 5: 675–676, 6 figs.
- (1917). Puerto Rican collections (letter 66: 6, l0). Mycological Writings 5: 726, 3 figs.
- (1918). Puerto Rican collections (letter 67: 9, 68: 6, 12). Mycological Writings 5.
- (1919). Rare or interesting fungi received from correspondents. Mycological Writings (Myc. Notes No 57) 5: 816–828.
- (1920). Mycological notes no. 64. Mycological Writings 6: 985–1029.
- (1921). Mycological Notes 6: 1–1101.
- (1921). Puerto Rican collections (Fink). Mycological Writings 6: 1044, 1071–1072, 1 fig.
- (1922). Mycological Notes 7(2): 1135–1168.
- (1922). Puerto Rican collections (Chardón). Mycological Writings 7: 1114, 1123.
- (1923). Novel and noteworthy specimens received from correspondents. Index of the Mycological Notes7: 1105–1364.
- (1925). Puerto Rican collections (Tucker). Mycological Writings 7: 1353, 1354, 5 figs.