George Edward Massee
Encyclopedia
George Edward Massee was an English
mycologist
, plant pathologist, and botanist
.
, East Yorkshire
, the son of a farmer. He was educated at York School of Art and Downing College, Cambridge
, but did not complete his degree.
, a family relative, he was able to travel on a botanical expedition to Panama
and Ecuador
, where, despite considerable hardships, he collected orchids and other plants.
On his return, Massee joined the French Foreign Legion
, hoping to see combat in the Franco-Prussian War
, but, the war being almost over, he was prevailed upon to return home to the farm. He had nonetheless gained a "4th Chasseurs" tattoo on his arm as a result of his brief military adventure.
, the first head of mycology at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
. Having moved to London, he began a series of ambitious publications on fungi, whilst undertaking public lectures, and also working briefly at the Natural History Museum
. When Cooke retired from Kew in 1893, Massee replaced him as Principal Assistant in Cryptogams, a post he retained till he himself retired in 1915. From 1904, Massee's assistant at Kew was A.D. Cotton
who worked principally on the algae
. In 1910 Elsie Wakefield
also assisted Massee with the fungi, taking over his position after 1915.
George Massee helped found the British Mycological Society
in 1896 and was elected its first President. During his career, he published over 250 scientific and popular books, papers, and articles on fungi, myxomycetes, plant pathology, and natural history. He was editor of the cryptogamic journal Grevillea for its final two volumes. Massee also described a substantial number of new fungal species, but (despite working in an herbarium
) did not always keep type specimens. As a result, all too many of his new species are now relegated to lists of nomina dubia (names of uncertain application). Most of the collections he did retain are now in the mycological herbarium at Kew. Part of Massee's personal herbarium was, however, sold to the New York Botanical Garden
in 1907. The fungal genus Masseea
was named after him, as were several species, including Acremonium masseei, Ascobolus masseei, Entoloma masseei, and Ocellaria masseeana.
Beatrix Potter
, whose mycological interests he encouraged, called him "a very pleasant kind gentleman." His colleague John Ramsbottom
said of him that "though often brilliant he was often careless: if he had had any capacity whatever for taking pains he would have been a genius."
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
mycologist
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...
, plant pathologist, and botanist
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...
.
Background and education
George Massee was born in ScampstonScampston
Scampston is a village and civil parish in the Ryedale district of North Yorkshire, England. It lies close to the A64 road, on the outskirts of Rillington and approximately 3 miles east of Malton....
, East Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, the son of a farmer. He was educated at York School of Art and Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College, Cambridge
Downing College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The college was founded in 1800 and currently has around 650 students.- History :...
, but did not complete his degree.
South America and the Foreign Legion
Massee had an early interest in natural history, publishing an article on British woodpeckers at the age of 16 and compiling a portfolio of botanical paintings. Through the influence of Richard SpruceRichard Spruce
Richard Spruce was an English botanist. One of the great Victorian botanical explorers, Spruce spent approximately 15 years exploring the Amazon from the Andes to the mouth, and was one of the first Europeans to visit many of the places where he collected specimens.The plants and objects collected...
, a family relative, he was able to travel on a botanical expedition to Panama
Panama
Panama , officially the Republic of Panama , is the southernmost country of Central America. Situated on the isthmus connecting North and South America, it is bordered by Costa Rica to the northwest, Colombia to the southeast, the Caribbean Sea to the north and the Pacific Ocean to the south. The...
and Ecuador
Ecuador
Ecuador , officially the Republic of Ecuador is a representative democratic republic in South America, bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and south, and by the Pacific Ocean to the west. It is one of only two countries in South America, along with Chile, that do not have a border...
, where, despite considerable hardships, he collected orchids and other plants.
On his return, Massee joined the French Foreign Legion
French Foreign Legion
The French Foreign Legion is a unique military service wing of the French Army established in 1831. The foreign legion was exclusively created for foreign nationals willing to serve in the French Armed Forces...
, hoping to see combat in the Franco-Prussian War
Franco-Prussian War
The Franco-Prussian War or Franco-German War, often referred to in France as the 1870 War was a conflict between the Second French Empire and the Kingdom of Prussia. Prussia was aided by the North German Confederation, of which it was a member, and the South German states of Baden, Württemberg and...
, but, the war being almost over, he was prevailed upon to return home to the farm. He had nonetheless gained a "4th Chasseurs" tattoo on his arm as a result of his brief military adventure.
Mycological career
Back in Yorkshire, Massee developed a particular interest in fungi which he illustrated, his paintings attracting the attention of M.C. CookeMordecai Cubitt Cooke
Mordecai Cubitt Cooke was an English botanist and mycologist.Cooke came from a mercantile family in Horning, Norfolk, and worked as an apprentice to a fabric merchant before becoming a clerk in a law firm, but his chief interest was in botany. He founded the Society of Amateur Botanists in 1862...
, the first head of mycology at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, usually referred to as Kew Gardens, is 121 hectares of gardens and botanical glasshouses between Richmond and Kew in southwest London, England. "The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew" and the brand name "Kew" are also used as umbrella terms for the institution that runs...
. Having moved to London, he began a series of ambitious publications on fungi, whilst undertaking public lectures, and also working briefly at the Natural History Museum
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum is one of three large museums on Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London, England . Its main frontage is on Cromwell Road...
. When Cooke retired from Kew in 1893, Massee replaced him as Principal Assistant in Cryptogams, a post he retained till he himself retired in 1915. From 1904, Massee's assistant at Kew was A.D. Cotton
Arthur Disbrowe Cotton
Arthur Disbrowe Cotton was an English plant pathologist, mycologist, phycologist, and botanist.A.D. Cotton was born in London and educated at King's College School and the Royal College of Science, where he completed a degree in botany in 1901...
who worked principally on the algae
Algae
Algae are a large and diverse group of simple, typically autotrophic organisms, ranging from unicellular to multicellular forms, such as the giant kelps that grow to 65 meters in length. They are photosynthetic like plants, and "simple" because their tissues are not organized into the many...
. In 1910 Elsie Wakefield
Elsie Maud Wakefield
Elsie Maud Wakefield was an English mycologist and plant pathologist.-Background and education:Miss Wakefield was born in Birmingham, the daughter of a science teacher...
also assisted Massee with the fungi, taking over his position after 1915.
George Massee helped found the British Mycological Society
British Mycological Society
The British Mycological Society is a learned society established in 1896 to promote the study of fungi.-Formation:The Society was formed based on the efforts of two local societies, the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club of Hereford and the Yorkshire Naturalists’ Union. The curator of the Hereford...
in 1896 and was elected its first President. During his career, he published over 250 scientific and popular books, papers, and articles on fungi, myxomycetes, plant pathology, and natural history. He was editor of the cryptogamic journal Grevillea for its final two volumes. Massee also described a substantial number of new fungal species, but (despite working in an herbarium
Herbarium
In botany, a herbarium – sometimes known by the Anglicized term herbar – is a collection of preserved plant specimens. These specimens may be whole plants or plant parts: these will usually be in a dried form, mounted on a sheet, but depending upon the material may also be kept in...
) did not always keep type specimens. As a result, all too many of his new species are now relegated to lists of nomina dubia (names of uncertain application). Most of the collections he did retain are now in the mycological herbarium at Kew. Part of Massee's personal herbarium was, however, sold to the New York Botanical Garden
New York Botanical Garden
- See also :* Education in New York City* List of botanical gardens in the United States* List of museums and cultural institutions in New York City- External links :* official website** blog*...
in 1907. The fungal genus Masseea
Masseea
Masseea is a genus of fungi in the Helotiales order. The relationship of this taxon to other taxa within the order is unknown , and it has not yet been placed with certainty into any family.-External links:*...
was named after him, as were several species, including Acremonium masseei, Ascobolus masseei, Entoloma masseei, and Ocellaria masseeana.
Beatrix Potter
Beatrix Potter
Helen Beatrix Potter was an English author, illustrator, natural scientist and conservationist best known for her imaginative children’s books featuring animals such as those in The Tale of Peter Rabbit which celebrated the British landscape and country life.Born into a privileged Unitarian...
, whose mycological interests he encouraged, called him "a very pleasant kind gentleman." His colleague John Ramsbottom
John Ramsbottom (mycologist)
John Ramsbottom was a British mycologist.He was Keeper of Botany at the British Museum . He served as general secretary and twice as president of the British Mycological Society, and was long editor of its Transactions. He was president of the Linnean Society from 1937 to 1940 and was awarded...
said of him that "though often brilliant he was often careless: if he had had any capacity whatever for taking pains he would have been a genius."
Selected publications
- Massee, G.E. (1892). A monograph of the Mycogastres. London: Methuen
- Massee, G.E. (1892-1895). The British fungus flora, Vols 1-4. London: George Bell
- Massee, G.E. (1902). European fungus flora: Agaricaceae London: Duckworth
- Massee, G.E. & C. Crossland (1905). The fungus flora of Yorkshire. London: A. Brown
- Massee, G.E. (1910). Diseases of cultivated plants and trees London: Macmillan
- Massee, G.E. & I. Massee (1913). Mildews, rusts, and smuts London: Dulau & Co