John Ray (1627-1705)
Who might like to find out about John Ray?
Science students? - Ray wrote the first textbook of modern Botany. He is described as “the first true systematist of the animal kingdom” (Baron Cuvier) and “one of the founders of modern science” (Sir Arthur Seward).
Christians? - Ray was an ordained Anglican, a ‘Puritan’ who was a victim of the 1662 persecution known as the ‘Great Ejection’. He wrote the classic Wisdom of God (1691).
Conservationists? - Ray’s worldview was god-centred. He affirmed that the created order’s purpose was to glorify God and to enjoy the life God has given, as well as to be useful to humans.