1858-1934

American botanist who promoted plant preservation. Britton grew up on a Cuban sugar plantation, where she became interested in plants. After graduating from New York's Normal College, she accompanied her husband, Nathaniel Lord Britton, on botanical research trips in the West Indies. An expert on mosses, she published articles on the topic. She helped to establish the New York Botanical Garden and the Wild Flower Preservation Society of America to protect indigenous plants. She organized boycotts against using native holly for Christmas decorations.