Robert Brown got his intellectual honesty and solid character from his father, an Episcopalian clergyman. But unlike his father, he did not develop a calling for religion. Instead, Brown completed college in Aberdeen, Scotland, then joined the army. Brown's journals during his five years as an assistant surgeon in the army show his determination to master details and his far-reaching curiosity.

In 1798, Brown was introduced to English botanist Joseph Banks (1743-1820), who was clearly impressed with Brown's talents. It may have been Banks' influence that got Brown the position of naturalist aboard the Investigator in 1801 to survey the plant life along the unfamiliar coasts of Australia.

When Brown returned to England in 1805, he brought with him over 4,000 species of plants and set about the arduous task of reporting on each species. The two systems of plant classification then in use were not suitable for the unusual Australian plant...