V.S. Summerhayes

[Victor Samuel]. 1897-1974. Botanist and herbarium curator, author of Wild Orchids of Britain (1951). Doyen of orchids, in charge of orchid herbarium at Kew for 39 years 1924-64. Expert on African and Polynesian, as well as British, Orchidacaea and established Kew as world centre on the family. OBS (1950).

In 1920s, one of the pioneer ecologists, taking part in Oxford Spitsbergen expedition 1921, on which he wrote papers with W.S. Elton. Active member of British Ecological Society, treasurer 1938-57. Slight in build, 'quick and incisive in speech and manner'. A kindly man with a few amusing oddities: he wore a 'disgusting' hat when botanising and prnounced species 'svecies'.