Hermenegild Santapau

Hermenegild Santapau (1903–1970) was a Spanish born naturalized Indian Jesuit priest and botanist, known for his taxonomic research on Indian flora. He was credited with the Latin nomenclature of several Indian plant species. A recipient of the Order of Alphonsus X the Wise and the Birbal Sahni Medal, he was honoured by the Government of India in 1967, with the award of Padma Shri, the fourth highest Indian civilian award for his contributions to the society.

Biography

Hermenegild Santapau (full name in his native Catalan, Ermenegild Santapau i Bertomeu) was born at La Galera, in the Catalan province of Tarragona, Spain, on 5 December 1903 and became a member of the Society of Jesus based at Gandia city in Valencia at the age of 16. Moving to London, he graduated in botany with honours (BSc Hons) from the University of London from where he, later, obtained his doctoral degree (PhD) He also secured an associateship diploma from the Royal College of Science and another diploma from the parent institute of Imperial College of London.

From 1934, Santapau worked in Eastern Pyrenees and Italian Alps collecting plant specimens, for four years. and was credited with the Latin nomenclature of several Indian species. by way of 216 scientific papers and publications. The Flora of Purandhar The orchids of Bombay The Flora of Saurashtra The Acacthaceae of Bombay The Asclepiadaceae and Periplocaceae of Bombay

Santapau is a recipient of the Order of the Alphonsus X the Wise award from the Government of Spain The Government of India honoured him with the civilian award of Padma Shri in 1967.