William Oakes (botanist)

William Oakes (July 1, 1799 – July 31, 1848) was an American botanist, naturalist, and lawyer. He is best known for his extensive studies of the flora of New England, particularly of the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

Born in Danvers, Massachusetts, Oakes graduated from Harvard College in 1820 and pursued a career in law. However, his true passion lay in natural history, especially botany. He dedicated much of his time to exploring and documenting the plant life of New England, becoming a highly respected authority in the field.

Oakes' most significant contribution was his publication Scenery of the White Mountains, printed with hand-colored lithographs by Isaac Sprague and containing descriptions of the White Mountains' flora. While this work is primarily known for its landscape depictions, Oakes' careful botanical observations and descriptions are invaluable.

He was an avid collector, amassing a large herbarium that served as a crucial resource for understanding the region's biodiversity. Oakes corresponded with leading botanists of his day, including Asa Gray, sharing specimens and observations. He described several new plant species and contributed significantly to the understanding of plant distribution in New England.

William Oakes died in Ipswich, Massachusetts, in 1848. His legacy endures through his published works, his contributions to botanical knowledge, and the plant specimens he collected, which are now housed in various herbaria. His work remains an important source for researchers studying the flora of the White Mountains and the broader New England region. He is commemorated in the scientific name of the plant Carex oakesiana.