P003006 revised AU-VU:EOAS Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation

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 English AACR2 Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules Person created 1997-10-31 human Rosanne Walker; Christine Moje & Neville Walsh updated 2026-01-15 human https://www.eoas.info/biogs/P003006b.htm person Johnson Lawrence Alexander Sidney FAA AACR2 26 June 1925 1 August 1997 Place of Birth Cheltenham, New South Wales, Australia Place of Death St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia Botanist Botanic gardens director Lawrie Johnson was a taxonomic botanist with an outstanding breadth of interests and expertise. Throughout his career, he maintained a prolific output of publications, and many co-authored publications continued to be published after his death. Lawrence Johnson was attached to the Royal Botanic Gardens Sydney from 1948-1997 as Botanist, later Director and then Honorary Research Associate.

Johnson is particularly known for his work on eucalypts. In collaboration with colleagues, he named more than 180 eucalypt species and many new subspecies, and reclassified over 100 species. His purpose was to characterise key groups that typify major lines of evolution among them. Together with Pryor, he found that the eucalypts comprised eight key groups, informally termed subgenera, and devised a new classificatory listing and description of all the species then known. This work included the segregation of Angophora and Corymbia from the genus Eucalyptus as a separate species in 1995. Botanists Don Blaxell and later Ken Hill greatly assisted Lawrence Johnson in his work.


Born Cheltenham, New South Wales, 26 June 1925. Died Sydney, 1 August 1997. AM 1987 Educated University of Sydney (BSc (hons) 1947). Assistant Botanist, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney 1948-62, Australian Botanical Liaison Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew 1962-63, botanist, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Royal Botanic Gardens, 1964, Botanist, Special Grade 1965, Senior Botanist (later retitled Deputy Chief Botanist) 1968-72, Director, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney 1972-. Clarke Memorial Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales, Fellow, Australian Academy of Science 1986. Twice president, Linnean Society of New South Wales.

1948 1948 Career event - Joined the staff of the National Herbarium, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney 1952 1952 Taxonomy event - Eucalyptus glaucina (Blakely) L.A.S.Johnson 1962 1962 Taxonomy event - Eucalyptus tetrapleura L.A.S.Johnson 1962 1962 Taxonomy event - Eucalyptus oraria L.A.S.Johnson 1962 1963 Career position - Australian Botanical Liaison Officer, Royal Botanic Gardens, kew 1967 1968 Career position - President, Linnean Society of New South Wales 1968 1972 Career position - Deputy Chief Botanist, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney 1971 1971 Publication - Book: A Classification of the Eucalypts 1971 1972 Career position - President, Linnean Society of New South Wales 1972 1986 Career position - Director, Royal Botanic Garden, Sydney 1973 1973 Taxonomy event - Eucalyptus sphaerocarpa L.A.S.Johnson & Blaxell 1973 1973 Taxonomy event - Eucalyptus pyrocarpa L.A.S.Johnson & Blaxell 1973 1973 Taxonomy event - Eucalyptus paliformis L.A.S.Johnson & Blaxell 1979 1979 Award - Clarke Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales 1984 1984 Award - Mueller Medal, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science 1995 1995 Taxonomy event - Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell) K.D. Hill & L.A.S. Johnson Evans, Obed David (1889 - 1975) Mueller Medal, Australian and New Zealand Association for the Advancement of Science (1904 - 2006)

Awarded the Medal 1984

 Clarke Medal, Royal Society of New South Wales (1878 - )

Awarded the Medal 1979

 National Herbarium of New South Wales, Colony and State of New South Wales (1896 - )

Botanist 1948 - 1972

 Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, Colony and State of New South Wales (1816 - )

Director 1972-1985) Honorary Research Associate 1986-1997

 Australian Academy of Science (1954 - )

Fellow 1986 - 1997

 Linnean Society of New South Wales (1874 - )

President 1967 - 1968, 1971 - 1972

 Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (1759 - )

Australian Botanical Liaison Officer 1962 - 1963

Wikidata

VIAF - Virtual International Authority File

 Johnson, L A S (1925-1997)

Trove

 'Johnson, Lawrence Alexander Sidney (Lawrie)', in Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation, Centre for Transformative Innovation, Swinburne University of Technology Johnson, Lawrence Alexander Sidney (Lawrie) Swinburne University of Technology, Centre for Transformative Innovation Encyclopedia of Australian Science and Innovation Journal Article: Evolution in the Myrtaceae - evidence from inflorescence structure Briggs, Barbara Gillian; Johnson, Lawrie Alexander Sidney Evolution in the Myrtaceae - evidence from inflorescence structure 1979 Proceedings of the Linnean Society of New South Wales 102 4 157-256 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 8. A review of the Eudesmioid eucalypts, Eucalyptus subgenus Eudesmia. Telopea Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, L.A.S Systematic studies in the eucalypts 8. A review of the Eudesmioid eucalypts, Eucalyptus subgenus Eudesmia. Telopea 1998 Telopea 7 4 375-414 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 6. A revision of the coolibahs, Eucalyptus subgenus Symphyomyrtus section Adnataria series Oliganthae subseries Microthecosae (Myrtaceae). Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, L.A.S Systematic studies in the eucalypts 6. A revision of the coolibahs, Eucalyptus subgenus Symphyomyrtus section Adnataria series Oliganthae subseries Microthecosae (Myrtaceae). 1994 Telopea 5 4 743-771 Journal Article: Rich and Unfamiliar Flora Johnson, L. A. S. Rich and Unfamiliar Flora 1977 Australian Natural History 19 2 58-61 Journal Article: Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson 1926-1997 Briggs, Barbara G. Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson 1926-1997 2001 Historical Records of Australian Science 13 4 475-494

Source used to compile entry

 Book Section: Three old southern families: Myrtaceae, Proteaceae and Restionaceae Johnson, L.A.S; Briggs, B.G. Three old southern families: Myrtaceae, Proteaceae and Restionaceae The Hague W. Junk 1981 Ecological biogeography on Australia, vol. 1 Keast, Allen 1 427-469 Journal Article: Cladistic and biogeographic analysis of western Australian species of Eucalyptus L'Herit., informal subgenus Monocalyptus Pryor & Johnson. Humphries, C. J.; Ladiges, P. Y.; and Brooker, M. I. H. Cladistic and biogeographic analysis of western Australian species of Eucalyptus L'Herit., informal subgenus Monocalyptus Pryor & Johnson. 1987 Australian Journal of Botany 35 3 251 Book Section: Eucalyptus, the universal Australian Pryor, Lindsay Dixon; Johnson, Lawrence Alexander Sidney Eucalyptus, the universal Australian The Hague W. Junk 1981 Ecological biogeography of Australia (Monographiae biologicae vol.41) Keast, A. 1 499 - 536 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 9. A review of series Sociales (Eucalyptus subgenus Symphyomyrtus, Section Bisectaria, Myrtaceae). Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, L.A.S Systematic studies in the eucalypts 9. A review of series Sociales (Eucalyptus subgenus Symphyomyrtus, Section Bisectaria, Myrtaceae). 1999 Telopea 8 2 165-218 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 7. A revision of the bloodwoods, genus Corymbia (Myrtaceae) Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, Lawrence A.S. Systematic studies in the eucalypts 7. A revision of the bloodwoods, genus Corymbia (Myrtaceae) 1995 Telopea 6 2-3 185-504 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 5. New taxa and combinations in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in Western Australia. Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, L.A.S Systematic studies in the eucalypts 5. New taxa and combinations in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae) in Western Australia. 1992 Telopea 4 4 561-634 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 4. New taxa in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, L.A.S. Systematic studies in the eucalypts 4. New taxa in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). 1991 Telopea 4 2 321-349 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 2. A revision of the gimlets and related species: Eucalyptus extracodical series Salubres and Annulatae (Myrtaceae). Johnson, L.A.S.; and Hill, K.D. Systematic studies in the eucalypts 2. A revision of the gimlets and related species: Eucalyptus extracodical series Salubres and Annulatae (Myrtaceae). 1991 Telopea 4 4 201-222 Journal Article: Myrtacea. Eucalyptus sieberi L.A.S.Johnson: Studies in the Taxonomy of Eucalyptus Johnson, L. A. S. Myrtacea. Eucalyptus sieberi L.A.S.Johnson: Studies in the Taxonomy of Eucalyptus 1962 Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium 3 3 125 Journal Article: Myrtales and Myrtaceae - a phylogenetic analysis. Johnson, L.A.S.; and Briggs, B.G. Myrtales and Myrtaceae - a phylogenetic analysis. 1984 Annal of the Missouri Botanical Garden 71 700-756 Book Section: Restionaceae Linder, H.P.; Briggs, B.G.; and Johnson, L.A.S Restionaceae Berlin Springer 1998 The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Vol. 4: Flowering Plants K. Kubitzki 4 425-445 Book Section: Ecdeiocoleaceae Linder, H.P.; Briggs, B.G.; and Johnson, L.A.S Ecdeiocoleaceae Berlin Springer 1998 The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Vol. 4: Flowering Plants K. Kubitzki 4 195-197 Book Section: Anarthriaceae Linder, H.P.; Briggs, B.G.; and Johnson, L.A.S Anarthriaceae Berlin Springer 1998 The Families and Genera of Vascular Plants. Vol. 4: Flowering Plants K. Kubitzki 4 19-21 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 3. New taxa and combinations in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, L.A.S. Systematic studies in the eucalypts 3. New taxa and combinations in Eucalyptus (Myrtaceae). 1991 Telopea 4 2 223-267 Journal Article: Restionaceae Johnson, L. A. S. and Evans, O. D. Restionaceae 1966 Flora of New South Wales 25 2-28 Book Section: A guide to a new classification of Restionaceae and allied families. Briggs, B.G.; and Johnson, L.A.S. A guide to a new classification of Restionaceae and allied families. Nedlands, W.A. University of Western Australia Press 1999 Australian Rushes: Biology, Identification and Conservation of Restionaceae and allied families Meney, K.A. & Pate, J.S 25-56 Journal Article: New Taxa and Combinations in Eucalyptus - 4. Johnson, Lawrence A.S.; and Blaxell, Donald F. New Taxa and Combinations in Eucalyptus - 4. 1980 Telopea 1 6 395-397 Journal Article: A revision of the Restio gracilis complex Johnson, L. A. S. and Evans, O. D. A revision of the <span style="font-style:italic">Restio gracilis</span> complex 1963 Contributions from the New South Wales National Herbarium 3 200-17 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 10. New tropical and subtropical eucalypts from Australia and New Guinea (Eucalyptus, Myrtaceae) Hill, K.D.; and Johnson, L.A.S. Systematic studies in the eucalypts 10. New tropical and subtropical eucalypts from Australia and New Guinea (Eucalyptus, Myrtaceae) 2000 Telopea 8 4 503-540 Book: A classification of the eucalypts Pryor, L. D.; and Johnson, L. A. S. A classification of the eucalypts Canberra Australian National University 1971 Journal Article: Obituary: Obed David Evans Carolin, R. C. and Johnson, L. A.S. Obituary: Obed David Evans 1976 Telopea 1 2 87-90 Book Section: Anderson, Robert Henry (1899-1969), botanist Johnson, L. A. S. Anderson, Robert Henry (1899-1969), botanist Melbourne Melbourne University Press 1993 Australian dictionary of biography, volume 13: 1940 - 1980 A-De John Ritchie 51-52 Journal Article: Systematic studies in the eucalypts 11. New taxa and combinations in Eucalyptus Section Dumaria (Myrtaceae) Hill, K.D.; Johnson, L. A.S.; and Blaxell, D.F. Systematic studies in the eucalypts 11. New taxa and combinations in Eucalyptus Section Dumaria (Myrtaceae) 2001 Telopea 9 2 259-318 Journal Article: Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson 26 June 1925 - 1 August 1997 Briggs, Barbara G. Lawrence Alexander Sidney Johnson 26 June 1925 - 1 August 1997 1997 Telopea 7 3 177-180 Journal Article: Publications of L. A. S. Johnson: 1949-1995 Anon Publications of L. A. S. Johnson: 1949-1995 1996 Telopea 6 4 507-10 Journal Article: L. A. S. Johnson: taxonomist, ecologist, conservationist - botanist sens. Lat. Benson, Doug L. A. S. Johnson: taxonomist, ecologist, conservationist - botanist sens. Lat. 1996 Telopea 6 4 521-6 Journal Article: L. A. S. Johnson - a botanical career Briggs, Barbara G. L. A. S. Johnson - a botanical career 1996 Telopea 6 4 511-20 Journal Article: Rainbows in retrospect: L. A. S. Johnson's contributions to taxonomic philosophy Hull, David L. Rainbows in retrospect: L. A. S. Johnson's contributions to taxonomic philosophy 1996 Telopea 6 4 527-39 Resource Section: Biographical Memoirs Biographical Memoirs Australian Academy of Science Australian Academy of Science

Source used to compile entry

 Resource: Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) Australian Plant Name Index (APNI) Australian National Botanic Gardens 2012 Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (1995), Red Flowering Gum, detail of leaves Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (1995), Red Flowering Gum, detail of leaves 23 January 2013 Gavan McCarthy, Christine Moje, Ailie Smith Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (1995), Red Flowering Gum, detail of flowers Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (1995), Red Flowering Gum, detail of flowers 23 January 2013 Gavan McCarthy, Christine Moje, Ailie Smith Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (1995), Red Flowering Gum Corymbia ficifolia (F.Muell.) K.D.Hill & L.A.S.Johnson (1995), Red Flowering Gum 23 January 2013 Gavan McCarthy, Christine Moje, Ailie Smith

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