HomeDate: 2026-05-05
Honorary Academician Peter H. Raven passed away in the United States on April 25, 2026, at the age of 89.
Dr. Raven was an internationally renowned botanist whose work made seminal contributions to evolutionary biology, systematics, and plant taxonomy. Together with his collaborators, he introduced the concept of “coevolution” and helped define its theoretical framework, exerting a transformative influence on evolutionary biology. His studies on population differentiation elucidated the mechanisms underlying dynamic changes and divergence in biological populations, laying important foundations for modern population ecology. In addition, Dr. Raven was a leading advocate for biodiversity conservation at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels. He was actively engaged in policy advising across multiple countries, promoted international collaboration, and worked extensively to enhance public awareness of conservation, making him a key figure in advancing global environmental sustainability.
Dr. Raven received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles, in 1960. He joined the faculty of Stanford University in 1962, and in 1971 was appointed Director of the Missouri Botanical Garden, where he served for nearly four decades and developed the institution into a world-leading center for botanical research. Beginning in 1973, he also held the George Engelmann Professorship of Botany at Washington University in St. Louis. Dr. Raven lectured and taught widely around the world and visited Taiwan on numerous occasions to participate in academic activities. He played an important role in the establishment of the Biodiversity Research Center at Academia Sinica and served as a member of its Academic Advisory Committee, offering valuable guidance on biodiversity conservation and helped to strengthen the long-term development and international engagement of biodiversity research in Taiwan.
Dr. Raven was elected a Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, a Member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, a Foreign Member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, a Member of the Pontifical Academy of Sciences, and a Foreign Member of the Royal Society, among many other academies worldwide. He also received honorary doctorates and distinguished appointments from numerous leading universities. His honors include the U.S. National Medal of Science, the International Prize for Biology from Japan, and the UNEP Global 500 Roll of Honour for Environmental Achievement.
Dr. Raven was elected an Academia Sinica Honorary Academician in 2012.
