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John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan

1917 – 1985

British botanist

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About John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan

Lived 1917 – 1985 (aged 68). John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan was a British botanist, botanical collector and scientific collector.

John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan (1917–1985) was a British botanist who became director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Brenan was born on 19 June 1917 in Chislehurst and died on 26 September 1985 at Kew. A funeral requiem was held on 3 October 1985 at St. Anne's Church, Kew with a memorial service on the 23rd; he is buried at St. Anne's. in Oxford. He collected plants from 1947 to 1948 in what is today Zambia and Tanzania.

He began work at the herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1948 and became head of its African section in 1959. He became a member of the Linnean Society of London in 1952. In 1965, he became head of the herbarium and assistant director and became director of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in 1976. He was a member of several learned societies, and was president of the Association of Tropical Botany from 1970 to 1971, and of the Botanical Society of the British Isles in 1982.

His papers are held at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Library and Archives.

This botanist is denoted by the author abbreviation Brenan when citing a botanical name.

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Important facts

Birth century
Awards
Fellow of the Linnean Society of London
Also known as
Brenan, J. P. M. Brenan

People in John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

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Frequently asked questions

Who was John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan?

British botanist (1917-1985)

When was John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan born?

John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan was born on 19 June 1917 in Chislehurst.

When did John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan die?

John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan died on 26 September 1985 in Kew.

What was John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan's occupation?

John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan was a botanist, botanical collector and scientific collector.

What nationality was John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan?

John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan was British.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan

· Wikidata: Q2617258

· DBpedia: John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan. https://biography.guide/john-patrick-micklethwait-brenan/

MLA: "John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/john-patrick-micklethwait-brenan/.

Chicago: "John Patrick Micklethwait Brenan." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/john-patrick-micklethwait-brenan/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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