Biological_Taxonomy_Scientists.pdf
Biological_Taxonomy_Scientists.pdf
Page 1 of 25 Architects of Order The History & Evolution of Biological Taxonomy The Ancient Foundations Aristotle (384–322 BCE) — The Two-Kingdom Split • Divided all living things into Plants and Animals. • Grouped animals by habitat (Land, Water, Air) and blood type (Red- blooded vs. Bloodless) Page 3 of 25 The Ancient Foundations Theophrastus (371–287 BCE) — The Father of Botany • Refined plant classification based on structural sizes and anatomy. • Categorized flora into Herbs, Subshrubs, Shrubs, and Trees. Page 4 of 25 The Pre-Linnaean Transition John Ray (1627–1705) — Defining the Species • Rejected arbitrary groupings in favor of physical, observable similarities. • First to establish 'Species' as a distinct, fundamental biological unit.