Leonhard Rauwolf

Germany 1535 - Hungary 1596

Leonhard Rauwolf is recognized as one of the early plant collectors, individuals who traveled to different parts of the world in search of new and exotic plant species. 

His exploration of the Middle East in the late 16th century contributed greatly to the botanical knowledge of that time. His trip from Europe to the Levant in 1573-1574 - which encompassed present-day countries like Syria, Lebanon, Palestine and Egypt - allowed him to encounter a diverse array of plant species that were previously unknown in Europe. 

He cataloged and dried the plants he discovered very carefully, describing their physical characteristics, growth habits, and medicinal properties for further study and classification in his herbarium. 

The herbarium itself also traveled a lot within Europe. Emperor Rudolf II (1552-1612) was in possession of the unique originals. Later the herbarium fell into the hands of the troops of the Swedish King Gustav Adolf II (1594–1632) and thus came into the possession of his daughter Queen Christina of Sweden (1626–89). Afterwards, it was brought to London by Isaac Vossius (1618–89) and finally transferred to Leiden, where it was bought by the Leiden University Library (for 32,000 guilders).

Today it is kept in the botanical collection of the Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden as a true masterpiece. 

I feel it is amazing to see that the plants he collected did not perish after 450 years!!