Frederic Webster Goding

Frederic Webster Goding (May 9, 1858 – May 5, 1933) was an American diplomat, physician, entomologist, and inventor who served as U.S. consul in Australia, Uruguay, and Ecuador. As an entomologist he was noted for his studies of treehoppers (Membracidae).

Born in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Boston to Alphonso Landon and Lydia Mehitable (Chandler) Goding, at age five moved with his family to Chicago where he attended public school. He entered the medical department of Northwestern University, where he earned the degree of M.D. in 1882, having previously taught in the public schools of Illinois. He practiced medicine until 1898. During 1885-86 he filled the chair of natural science in Loudon College (prep school) in Loudon, Tennessee. He was assistant to the state entomologist of Illinois in 1884-95, and held a similar position in Tennessee while connected with Loudon College. He is commemorated in the scientific name of the cactus Armatocereus godingianus.