William Nylander

William Nylander (3 January 1822 – 29 March 1899) was a Finnish botanist and lichenologist, the first professor of botany at the University of Helsinki, and one of the foremost lichen researchers of the 19th century. He devoted most of his scientific career to the systematics of lichens and was the first to consistently apply microscopy and chemical reagents to lichen taxonomy. In 1863 he settled in Paris, where he worked as an independent researcher until his death.

Early life and education William Nylander was born in Oulu; his father was an alderman and merchant, his mother belonged to a family of priests. Already during his studies, Nylander became interested in natural science and travelled around Finland collecting insects. He enrolled at the University of Helsinki in 1839 and took several academic degrees, including a Bachelor of Arts in 1843, a Master of Arts in 1844, a Licentiate in 1845, and a Doctor of Medicine and Surgery in 1847. He chose not to practise medicine, as his interest in natural science led him first to entomology and zoology and then to botany. He observed the chemical differences between lichen species and placed them on equal footing with morphological and anatomical characteristics, an approach that has since developed into a distinct branch of lichen research. His lichen collection of over 51,000 specimens at the Finnish Museum of Natural History remains in active use.