Gray, Asa. A distinguished American botanist. Born in Paris, Oneida County, NY, in 1810. Graduated in medicine in 1831. Became Fisher professor of natural history in 1842 at Harvard and, in 1874, succeeded Agassiz as regent of the Smithsonian Institution. His writings did much to promote the study of botany in American on a sound scientific basis. In conjunction with Doctor Torrey, he wrote "The Flora of North America," and by himself various manuals of botany and "Natural Science and Religion." Died 1888.

---