Abstract
José Mariano Mociño traveled extensively in New Spain and helped to collect and classify thousands of plants according to modern scientific protocols. In addition, Mociño made significant contributions to science in geology, ethnology, epidemiology, ornithology and horticulture. He was in the vanguard of the study of native Mexican medicinal plants and played a crucial role in the control of infectious disease in the colony and the mother country. Although a contemporary of Alexander von Humboldt, the two never met. Nonetheless, the Prussian traveler was well aware of the accomplishments of Mociño. In his Ensayo politico sobre el Reino de la Nueva España Humboldt wrote “El señor Mociño, who we have already named as one of the compañeros of señor Sessé, and who carried out difficult excursions from the Kingdom of Guatemala to the Northwest coast of Vancouver… [occupied] a very distinguished place among the wise men [of Mexico].” The Mexican born scientist was named the co-leader of the Royal Spanish Botanic Expedition to New Spain (1787-1803) and was instrumental in its inventory of the flora and fauna of the colony. Unfortunately, political turmoil in the mother country prevented publication of its discoveries. The death of his colleagues left the Mexican as sole survivor of the expedition, responsible for completing and protecting its legacy. When Mociño passed from the scene, the accomplishments of the scientific pioneers of the Expedition disappeared to the public for decades or more.
José Mariano Mociño (1757-1820): Heroic Botanist/Physician of New and Old Spain
José Mariano Mociño traveled extensively in New Spain and helped to collect and classify thousands of plants according to modern scientific protocols. In addition, Mociño made significant contributions to science in geology, ethnology, epidemiology, ornithology and horticulture. He was in the vanguard of the study of native Mexican medicinal plants and played a crucial role in the control of infectious disease in the colony and the mother country. Although a contemporary of Alexander von Humboldt, the two never met. Nonetheless, the Prussian traveler was well aware of the accomplishments of Mociño. In his Ensayo politico sobre el Reino de la Nueva España Humboldt wrote “El señor Mociño, who we have already named as one of the compañeros of señor Sessé, and who carried out difficult excursions from the Kingdom of Guatemala to the Northwest coast of Vancouver… [occupied] a very distinguished place among the wise men [of Mexico].” The Mexican born scientist was named the co-leader of the Royal Spanish Botanic Expedition to New Spain (1787-1803) and was instrumental in its inventory of the flora and fauna of the colony. Unfortunately, political turmoil in the mother country prevented publication of its discoveries. The death of his colleagues left the Mexican as sole survivor of the expedition, responsible for completing and protecting its legacy. When Mociño passed from the scene, the accomplishments of the scientific pioneers of the Expedition disappeared to the public for decades or more.