Timothy Field Allen papers

A physician by training, Timothy Field Allen was an enthusiastic botanist and served as the vice-president of the Torrey Botanical Club from 1873 until his death in 1902. His interest in algae led him to specialize in the family Characeae. Allen wrote many scientific papers on these plants and corresponded and exchanged specimens with students all over the world . In 1901 he presented to the Garden his specimens and his extensive collection of information on the Characeae. He is commemorated by the grass Danthonia Alleni Austin, Eriogonuum Alleni S. Watson, and by Sundrops of eastern Long Island, Kneiffia Alleni.

Allen was born in Westminster, Vermont, April 24, 1837, received a degree from Amherst in 1858 and an MD from University of the City of New York in 1861. From 1862 to 1864 he was an Assistant Surgeon of the United States Army. After the war Allen served as dean of the New York Homeopathic Medical College and Hospital. He was largely instrumental in the establishment of the Flower Hospital and the Laura Franklin Free Hospital for Children. He died on December 5, 1902 in New York City.