William Albert Setchell

William Albert Setchell (April 15, 1864 – April 5, 1943) was an American botanist and marine phycologist who taught at the University of California, Berkeley, where he headed the Botany Department. Among his publications are the Phycotheca Boreali-Americana, a multi-volume specimen collection of dried algae, and the Algae of Northwestern America, a reference work.

Education

Setchell was born in Norwich, Connecticut, to George Case Setchell and Mary Ann (Davis) Setchell. Setchell showed an early interest in natural history that was furthered during his years at the Norwich Free Academy.

Setchell's research ranged from the taxonomy of algae, fungi, and some angiosperms to biogeography and ethnobotany, especially as these related to marine algae. The regular volumes each contained 50 numbered specimens, while the elephant folios contained 25 specimens. A Festschrift was produced for his 70th birthday that included essays, a biographical sketch, and a complete bibliography. Setchelliella (now Doassansia niesslii , a species of blue-green algae). Also, Setchellanthus , (a Mexican shrub, containing a single species, Setchellanthus caeruleus). In 1958, Czech mycologist Zdeněk Pouzar published Setchelliogaster which is a genus of fungi in the order Agaricales. In addition, more than three dozen species of plants, as well as a coral species and an annelid species, were also named in his honor.