William Jack (botanist)
William Jack (1795, Aberdeen – 1822, Bencoolen, Sumatra) was a Scottish botanist.
Jack was employed by the East India Company as a surgeon in India, where he also studied botany and corresponded extensively with Nathaniel Wallich. In 1818 he accompanied Stamford Raffles to Sumatra where he extensively documented the rich flora of that region until his death in 1822. Much of his work, including manuscripts, drawings, and collections were destroyed by fire in 1824.
Three plant genera are named after him:
- Jakkia, 1823, in family Polygalaceae (but not validly published)
- Jackia, 1824, a synonym of Jackiopsis, in family Rubiaceae
- Jackia, 1826, a synonym of Eriolaena in family Malvaceae
Read more about William Jack (botanist): Published Works
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