Ray John

Ray, John (1628-1705), great naturalist, was born in Essex and entered Cambridge University, where he greatly distinguished himself. He studied botany, his favourite pursuit, and travelled much, writing a great deal about the subject. In 1667 he became fellow of the Royal Society, and in 1670 published his great catalogue of English plants. He married in 1673, and subsequently issued his catalogue of English birds and fishes and other great works. He divided botany into its natural parts, and his system is now universally adopted. He wrote many religious works, the one entitled The Wisdom of God in Creation being the earliest attempt to prove the truth of revealed religion by reference to natural history.