Biography

American botanist interested in experimental plant morphology and land preservation. Originally from Brookline, Massachusetts, Richard Goodwin's mother was interested in birds and flowers and he was often taken on nature walks as a child. As a teenager visiting the Great Lakes he was concerned by the deforestation in Minnesota and decided to pursue a career in forestry. After entering Harvard University in 1929, however, he was increasingly drawn towards the study of plant morphology and diversity and embarked upon research into the genetics of the goldenrods (genus Solidago L.). This work finally led to a PhD thesis and research into plant hormones and growth inhibitors. On gaining his doctorate in 1937 Goodwin spent a year working in Denmark at the University of Copenhagen with Professor Boysen-Jensen, before he settled at the University of Rochester in 1938. From 1944 was based at Connecticut College as a professor and director of its arboretum.

Despite his research in plant genetics, Goodwin never lost his desire to preserve natural spaces, and soon realised that land acquisition was the most effective way of doing so. Constructing and financing deals with land owners he ensured the stewardship of many important areas, including Bergen Swamp (New York State) and Mamacoke Island (Connecticut), as well as vastly increasing the area of the arboretum. At Connecticut College he also played an important role by establishing a course in human ecology (now environmental science) with colleague Bill Niering, and the Goodwin-Niering Center for Conservation Biology and Environmental Studies now bears testament to their efforts. As the youngest, oldest and longest standing member of The Nature Conservancy, he served as its president on two separate occasions. Goodwin was married to Esther Bemis and together they had a son and a daughter.

Sources:
D.R. Foster, 2008, "In Memoriam, Richard Hale Goodwin", Rhodora, 110: 103-110
D. Hevesi, 2007, " Richard H. Goodwin, 96; led Nature Conservancy", The Boston Globe, July 17th 2007:
http://www.boston.com/news/globe/obituaries/articles/2007/07/17/richard_h_goodwin_96_led_nature_conservancy/, accessed 8th June 2011
B. Nagy, "Richard Hale Goodwin", Connecticut College:
http://www.conncoll.edu/ccrec/greennet/arbo/goodwin/goodwin%20bio%20nagy.pdf, accessed 8th June 2011.