Theophrast

Theophrast or Theophrastus was a Greek philosopher who inter alia wrote two treatises upon botanical topics: On the History of Plants and On the Causes of Plants. These texts continued to be influential throughout period.

He was born c.372BCE, in Lesbos. His original name was Tyrtanus: it is said to have been Aristotle who renamed him, and he became a member of Aristotle's school, and his successor as head of the Peripaetetic School after Aristotle's death, becoming guardian to his children, and his literary executor. He died in 287BCE, and the Athenians gave him a lavish public funeral.