Luther Burbank

According to Wikipedia, “Luther Burbank (7 March 1849 – 11 April 1926) was an American botanist, horticulturist and a pioneer in agricultural science. He developed more than 800 strains and varieties of plants over his 55-year career. Burbank’s varied creations included fruits, flowers, grains, grasses, and vegetables.”  Just before he died, he is reported as uttering the phrase, “I don’t feel good.”

A book released in April 2009 by Jane S. Smith, The Garden of Invention: Luther Burbank and the Business of Breeding Plants, provides a detailed examination of Luther’s life.  The book also includes a discussion about the problems associated with his estate.

For a review of this book, see Janet Maslin, The Curious Man Lucky Enough to Create ‘the Lucky Spud’, NY Times, May 4, 2009.

Special thanks to Joel Dobris (Professor of Law, UC Davis School of Law) for bringing this article to my attention.