Theodore Luqueer Mead
Date of Birth : Feb 23, 1852
Date of Death : May 4, 1936
Theodore Luqueer Mead was an important American naturalist, entomologist and horticulturist. As an entomologist he discovered more than 20 new species of North American butterflies and introduced the Florissant Fossil Beds in Colorado to the wider scientific world. As a horticulturist, he is best known for his pioneering work on the growing and cross-breeding of orchids, and the creation of new forms of caladium, bromeliad, crinum, amaryllis and hemerocallis. In addition he introduced many new semi-tropical plants, particularly palm varieties, into North America.