| Virginia
Journal of Science.
2004. Vol 55 (3) : 125-134 |
|
A Brief Note on the Authorship
of the First Flora Virginica: Clayton, Gronovius and Linnaeus Joan K. Stemmler, Independent Scholar, R. R. 1, Box 676, Roseland, VA 22967 ABSTRACT
A modern Flora of Virginia will soon be published, providing an
occasion to remember the publication of the first Flora Virginica in
the 18th century and to establish the proper attribution of its
authorship. Based on a manuscript by John Clayton, Flora
Virginica was published in two parts in 1739 and 1743 by the Dutchman
Johan Frederick Gronovius. Although both names are printed on the
title page, the book is often cited with Gronovius listed as the
author. This tradition, interpreted in modern understandings of
plagiarism, has led to an assertion that Gronovius misrepresented
Clayton's work as his own. This paper will review the cultural
milieu and historical context of the publication. The discovery
of an 18th century watercolor drawing with an inscription assigning
Flora Virginica to Clayton and evidence from a letter shows that
contemporaries regarded the book either as Clayton's or as a joint
enterprise. It is suggested that Gronovius be understood as an
advocate willing to publish Clayton's work in what he considered to be
the most modern Linnaean taxonomic system when self-publication was all
but impossible for Clayton. The book should be referenced as by
Clayton and Gronovius. |