Born 1732, Spain
Died 1808, Spain

During the eighteenth century, European rulers and governments—influenced by the ideas of the Enlightenment—sponsored studies of the natural sciences. Charles III (1716–1788) of Spain was one such ruler, who founded the Royal Botanical Garden in Madrid in 1774. Two years later a museum of natural history was also established, which housed the royal collection. Officials of Spanish colonies in the New World were advised to make studies of unknown native plants—especially those with medicinal uses—and send samples of them back to Spain.

Charles III had enlarged his botanical collection significantly by sending out three expeditions to American colonies: Peru, New Spain (Mexico), and New Granada (Colombia). Spanish priest and physician José Celestino Mutis was chosen to lead the Colombian study. The priest had become interested in botany—the study...