1869-1954

American botanist and agricultural explorer who brought more than 20,000 plant varieties into the United States. Trained in plant pathology and mycology, Fairchild directed the United States Department of Agriculture's plant introduction efforts, and completed many journeys around the world, particularly in the tropics, in a search for plants of potential economic importance. His important introductions include varieties of soybean, bamboo, mango, date, nectarine, avocado, and the flowering cherry trees of Washington, D.C.