Andrew Balfour (botanist)

Andrew Balfour (born c. 1656, died 1707) was a Scottish botanist and physician. He was a leading figure in the establishment of the Edinburgh Physic Garden, now the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Balfour studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and then travelled to France and England to further his knowledge of botany and medicine. He spent time at Montpellier, a centre for botanical studies, and in London where he likely engaged with the emerging scientific community.

Upon his return to Scotland, Balfour, along with Sir Robert Sibbald and others, recognized the need for a dedicated space for the study and cultivation of medicinal plants. This led to the establishment of the Edinburgh Physic Garden in 1670. Balfour played a significant role in its initial development and management. He was a Professor of Medicine and Botany at the University of Edinburgh.

While Balfour did not publish extensively, his contributions to botany are significant through his involvement in the Edinburgh Physic Garden. He also curated and managed his own private garden. He is remembered as an important figure in the history of Scottish botany and the early development of botanical science in Scotland.