Briggs, L.A.S. Johnson — a botanical career 
519 
LJ has been highly supportive of the development of a DNA laboratory for molecular 
plant systematics at the Royal Botanic Gardens and has actively followed literature 
in this important field. He was enthusiastic, as I was, when Honorary Research 
Associate Professor John Thomson helped us, with lunchtime 'lessons', to gain better 
understanding of this fast-moving discipline. [Professor Thomson would not use the 
term 'lessons' but rather 'discussions', but they were education by an expert of those 
who were much in need of patient instruction.] Macromolecular systematics is, in 
LJ's view as well as mine, now the most important source of new phylogenetic 
understanding. In conjunction with critically assessed morphology and phylogenetic 
reasoning this has given systematics a new excitement. With the work of Peter 
Weston, John Thomson, Peter Wilson and Simon Gilmore, the scientific standards 
that LJ did much to develop have been extended into new areas. 
LJ continues to serve on the Council of the Linnean Society of New South Wales, of 
which he has had two terms as President. He also continues to keep better informed 
on current scientific literature than many much younger botanists. The botanical 
advisory staff at the Herbarium find him to be a source of vast knowledge and helpful 
in sharing his ability to identify plants and impart botanical infonuation. For his part, 
LJ values the day-to-day contact with younger scientists, who are concerned with 
accuracy, equality and promoting wider community knowledge and understanding. 
Apart from botany and languages, his enthusiasms — all actively shared with Merle 
— have continued to be music, family (now finding time for excursions with his 
grandchildren), travel, railways, good food and wine, and tennis with family and 
younger friends. 
We wish Lawrie Johnson many more healthy, satisfying and productive botanical years. 
Acknowledgements 
I wish to thank my colleagues for constructive comments on the manuscript. 
References 
Benson, D. (1996) L.A.S. Johnson; taxonomist, ecologist, conservationist... botanist sens. lat. Tehpea 
6: 521-526. 
Briggs, B.G., & Johnson, L.A.S. (1979) Evolution in the Myrtaceae — evidence from inflorescence 
structure. Proc. Linn. Soc. New S. Wales 102; 157-256. 
Hall, N. & Johnson, L.A.S. (1993) The Names of Acacias ofNeiv South Wales with a Guide to Pronunciation 
of Botanical Names (Royal Botanic Gardens; Sydney). 
Harden, G.J. (1990-93) Flora of New South Wales, vols 1-4 (NSW University Press; Kensington). 
Hawkesworth, D.L., McNeill, J., Sneath, P.H.A., Trehane, R.P. & Tubbs, P.K. (1994) Towards a 
harmonized bionomenclature for life on earth. Biolog}/ International 30. 
Hill, K.D. & Johnson, L.A.S. (1995) Systematic studies in the eucalypts. 7. A revision of the 
bloodwoods, genus Cori/mhia. Telopea 6; 185-504. 
Johnson, L.A.S. (1959) The families of cycads and the Zamiaceae of Australia. Proc. Linn. Soc. New 
S. Wales. 84; 64-117. 
Johnson, L.A.S. (1968) Rainbow's End; the quest for an optimal taxonomy. Presidential address. 
Proc. Linn. Soc. Nezo S. Wales 93; 8-45. 
Johnson, L.A.S. (1970) | Republication of] Rainbow's End; the quest for an optimal taxonomy (with 
addendum). Sijst. Zoo/. 19; 203-239. 
Johnson, L.A.S. & Briggs, B.G. (1963) Evolution in the Proteaceae. Austral. J. Bot. 11; 21-61. 
Johnson, L.A.S. (1985) Whence, where, whither? — the Royal Botanic Gardens in review. 
Pp. 10-13 in Annual Report 1984-1985 (Royal Botanic Gardens; Sydney). 
