John Walton (botanist)

John Walton (1895 – 1971) was a British botanist and palaeobotanist known for his research on fossil plants, particularly those from the Carboniferous period.

Walton was born in Ashton-under-Lyne, Lancashire. He studied botany at the University of Cambridge, earning his degree in 1916. After serving in World War I, he returned to academia and held positions at the University of Manchester and later, the University of Glasgow, where he served as Regius Professor of Botany from 1930 until his retirement in 1962.

Walton's research focused on the morphology and anatomy of fossil plants. He made significant contributions to the understanding of early seed plants, particularly those found in coal measures. His work involved detailed investigations of fossil structures using techniques such as thin sectioning and peel methods.

He is the author of several notable publications, including "An Introduction to the Study of Fossil Plants" (1940), which became a standard textbook for students of palaeobotany. His research helped to advance the understanding of plant evolution and the history of vegetation on Earth.

Walton was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and the Royal Society of London, recognizing his contributions to the field of botany. His legacy continues through his publications and the impact he had on the development of palaeobotanical research.