Degener, Otto, 1899-1988

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Otto Degener (1899-1988) was a systematic botanist and conservationist, recognized as the authority on the flora of the Hawaiian Islands. He was Collaborator in Hawaiian Botany at the New York Botanical Garden from 1935-1988. He was named the first Naturalist for the Hawaii National Park in 1929. In 1942 he discovered Degeneria vitiensis, in Fiji--the missing link between the angiosperms and gymnosperms. He began publishing Flora Hawaiiensis in 1937 and in 1986 it reached its 7th part. With his wife Dr. Isa Hansen, Degener collected over 36,000 different species and preserved over 900 endangered plants for the NYBG. He was awarded the NYBG Distinguished Service Award, the Linnaeus Medal, the Willdenow Medal and the World Wildlife Fund Award of Honor. He was born in East Orange, N.J. He attended the Massachusetts Agricultural College (U.Mass. Amherst), received his M.A. from the University of Hawaii and his Ph.D. from Columbia University and died on Oahu on January 16, 1988.

From the description of Otto Degener records, 1920-1987. (New York State Historical Documents). WorldCat record id: 155483389

Otto Degener (1899-1988) was a systematic botanist and conservatist, recognized as the authority on the flora of the Hawaiian Islands. He was Collaborator in Hawaiian Botany at the New York Botanical Garden from 1935-1988. He was named the first Naturalist for the Hawaii National Park in 1929. In 1942 he discovered Degeneria vitiensis, in Fiji--the missing link between the angiosperms and gymnosperms. He began publishing Flora Hawaiiensis in 1937 and in 1986 it reached its 7th part. With his wife Dr. Isa Hansen, Degener collected over 36,000 different species and preserved over 900 endangered plants for the NYBG. He was awarded the NYBG Distinguished Service Award, the Linnaeus Medal, the Willdenow Medal and the World Wildlife Fund Award of Honor. He was born in East Orange, N.J. He attended the Massachusetts Agricultural College (U. Mass. Amherst), received his M.A. from the University of Hawaii and his Ph. D. from Columbia University and died on Oahu on January 16, 1988.

From the description of Otto Degener records 1920-1987. (New York Botanical Garden). WorldCat record id: 43352243

Otto Degener was a botanist who wrote Illustrated guide to the more common or noteworthy ferns and flowering plants of Hawaii national park, c1930, and collected in the Bahamas, Bermuda, Fiji, and the United States of America.

Smithsonian Institution Archives Field Book Project: Person : Description : rid_289_pid_EACP286

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Kowalski, Lydia A., 1949-. Papers of Lydia A. Kowalski, 1985-1988 (inclusive). Harvard University, Botany Libraries
creatorOf Degener, Otto, 1899-. Otto Degener records 1920-1987. New York Botanical Garden, The LuEsther T. Mertz Library
creatorOf Yuncker, T. G. (Truman George), 1891-1964. Truman G. Yuncker papers 1919-1989. New York Botanical Garden, The LuEsther T. Mertz Library
creatorOf Degener, Otto, 1899-. Otto Degener records, 1920-1987. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn William B. Provine collection of evolutionary biology reprints, 20th century. Division of Rare and Manuscript Collections, Cornell University Library.
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum corporateBody
associatedWith Britton, Nathaniel Lord, 1859-1934. person
associatedWith Eaton, Mary E. person
associatedWith Fosberg, F. Raymond (Francis Raymond), 1908- person
associatedWith Hatheway, William H. (William Howell), 1923- person
associatedWith Hormann, Hans, 1902-1981. person
associatedWith Kowalski, Lydia A., 1949- person
associatedWith Lidgate, John M. person
associatedWith Massachusetts Agricultural College. Dept. of Botany corporateBody
associatedWith Massachusetts Agricultural College. Dept. of Botany corporateBody
associatedWith Merrill, Elmer Drew, 1876-19 person
associatedWith Merrill, Elmer Drew, 1876-1956. person
associatedWith Moldenke, Harold N. (Harold Norman), 1909- person
associatedWith Munroe, George C., 1866-1963. person
associatedWith New York Botanical Garden corporateBody
correspondedWith Provine, William B. person
associatedWith Raven, Peter H. person
associatedWith Raven, Peter H. person
associatedWith Sherff, Earl Edward, 1886-1966. person
associatedWith Smith, Albert C. (Albert Charles), 1906 Apr. 5- person
associatedWith Stone, Benjamin C. (Benjamin Clemens), 1933- person
associatedWith Topping, David Leroy, 1861-1939. person
associatedWith Torrey, Ray Ethan, 1887-1956. person
associatedWith University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dept. of Botany corporateBody
associatedWith University of Hawaii at Manoa. Dept. of Botany corporateBody
associatedWith Wolliams, Keith. person
associatedWith Yuncker, T. G. (Truman George), 1891-1964. person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Hawaii
Hawaii--Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii
Hawaii--Haleakala National Park
Hawaii--Haleakala National Park
Hawaii--Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Subject
Argyroxiphium
Botany
Cheng Ho (Junk)
Deer
Degeneria vitiensis
Plant conservation
Occupation
Botanists
Activity

Person

Birth 1899-05-13

Death 1988-01-16

English

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