Patrick Browne (physician)

Patrick Browne (c. 1720 – 29 August 1790) was an Irish physician and botanist. He is best known for his groundbreaking work, The Civil and Natural History of Jamaica, published in 1756.

Browne studied medicine at the Universities of Paris, Reims, and Leiden, graduating from Leiden in 1743. He then traveled to Jamaica in 1746, where he practiced medicine for a decade and became deeply interested in the island's natural history.

The Civil and Natural History of Jamaica was a comprehensive study of the island's flora, fauna, and geology. It included detailed descriptions of plants, many of which were newly discovered and classified by Browne himself. He adopted a Linnaean system of classification, making his work accessible to a wider scientific audience. This publication significantly advanced the understanding of Jamaican biodiversity and established Browne as a leading naturalist. He also included observations on the local population and economy.

Following his return to Europe, Browne continued his medical practice and maintained an interest in botany. His herbarium is now housed at the Natural History Museum in London. Several plant species have been named in his honor, including Brownea, a genus of tropical flowering trees.