Arber, Agnes Robertson

About the author

Agnes Robertson Arber (1879–1960) was a distinguished British botanist and historian of science, renowned for her comprehensive study, Herbals, Their Origin and Evolution: A Chapter in the History of Botany 1470-1670. In this seminal work, Arber explores the development of herbals from their origins in the late medieval period to their evolution in the early modern era. Her meticulous research traces the transformation of herbals from simple compilations of plant knowledge to sophisticated scientific texts that reflect the burgeoning understanding of botany as a formal discipline. Arber's analysis highlights the interplay between artistic representation and scientific inquiry in herbals, emphasizing how these works served both educational and practical purposes. Her contributions have significantly advanced the study of botanical literature, offering valuable insights into the historical context and intellectual currents that shaped the evolution of botanical science.