Robert Braithwaite (bryologist)

Robert Braithwaite (1824-1917) was a British bryologist, known for his extensive and detailed work on the mosses of Great Britain. He was born in Burneside, Westmorland (now Cumbria), England.

Braithwaite is best remembered for his monumental work, The Sphagnaceae or Peat-Mosses of Europe and North America (1880) and The British Moss-Flora (1887-1905), published in parts over many years. The British Moss-Flora, in particular, became a standard reference for bryologists and provided detailed descriptions, illustrations, and keys for identifying British mosses. His illustrations were noted for their accuracy and artistic quality.

Braithwaite's work was instrumental in advancing the understanding and study of bryophytes in the British Isles. He was a fellow of the Linnean Society and served as president of the British Bryological Society. He made significant contributions to the classification and taxonomy of mosses and his publications remain valuable resources for bryologists today. His herbarium is housed at the British Museum (Natural History).