Peter Raven Ph.D. ’60

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From plant species extinction to tropical forest destruction, Peter Raven has worked tirelessly for over three decades to alleviate global environmental problems. His pioneering research in biodiversity has alerted the scientific world of the enormous threat to plant species today.

Raven has published more than 480 books and papers in the fields of taxonomy, population biology, biogeography, reproductive biology, ethnobotany and conservation biology. Since 1971, he has developed the Missouri Botanical Garden into the world’s preeminent center for the study of plant diversity, by exploring and collecting species throughout North and South America, Africa, and China. He served three terms as home secretary of the National Academy of Sciences and currently is serving as a member of the President’s Committee of Advisors on Science & Technology and chairman of the National Geographic Society Committee for Research and Exploration, among many other professional responsibilities.

A world-renowned leader in his field, he also serves as its ambassador, traveling the world to work with other countries in the global conservation effort. In 1994, he was one of only four non-Chinese scientists to ever be elected to the Chinese Academy of Sciences. His international importance is further highlighted by his impressive lists of honorary degrees from universities across the globe, from Sweden to Argentina.Already widely recognized in the scientific community, Raven received mainstream acclaim when Time magazine named him “hero for the Planet”.