Rusby, Henry Hurd, 1855-1940

Henry Hurd Rusby (1855-1940) was a physician and botanical explorer who was influential in the promotion of the the study of economic botany. He was one of the incorporators of the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and served as Honorary Curator of the Economic Botany Museum and on the Board of Managers from 1898 to 1933. He attended New York University Medical College, graduating in 1884. As Professor of Botany and Materia Medica at the College of Pharmacy at Columbia College, he was instrumental in the transfer of the Columbia herbarium and library to NYBG. He served 26 years as Dean of the Faculty and as Dean Emeritus from 1930-1940. His explorations took him to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and particularly the Amazon Basin. His work was sponsored by Parke, Davis & Company and the H.K. Mulford Company. He died in 1940.

Born in Franklin, NJ, Henry H. Rusby received his education at New York University, Philadelphia College of Pharmacy, and Columbia University. He served as professor and dean at the New York College of Pharmacy, Columbia from 1888 until his death. A specialist in South American flora and vegetable materia medica, Dr. Rusby explored many Central and South American regions.

Henry Hurd Rusby (1855-1940) was a physician and botanical explorer who was influential in the promotion of the study of economic botany. He was one of the incorporators of the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG) and served as Honorary Curator of the Economic Botany Museum and on the Board of Managers from 1898 to 1933. He attended New York University Medical College, graduating in 1884. As Professor of Botany and Materia Medica at the College of Pharmacy at Columbia College, he was instrumental in the transfer of the Columbia Herbarium and library to NYBG. He served 26 years as Dean of the Faculty and as Dean Emeritus from 1930-1940. His explorations took him to Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and particularly the Amazon Basin. His work was sponsored by Parke, Davis & Company and the H.K. Mulford Company. He died in 1940.