Anders Thiodolf Saelan – the botanising medicus
Abstract
Anders Thiodolf Saelan (1834–1921) was a notable non-professional botanist in late 19th and early 20th century Finland, and was amongst the most diligent writers of his time in the country, authoring five book, 75 articles, and 83 communications, for a total of 163 texts. Saelan was particularly known for writing extensive botanical reviews, such as Herbarium Musei Fennici in 1889 and ”Bibliography of Finnish botanical literature until the end of 1900”. He described 59 taxa, including two species, Hieracium linifolium and H. pilipes, 19 varieties, 36 forms, and two subforms. Typifications of 44 names are provided in a separate article. Saelan’s type collection like other specimens are deposited at the Botanical Museum (H), Finnish Museum of Natural History, University of Helsinki, Finland. Saelan was an active member of the Societas pro Fauna et Flora Fennica, of which he became a member in 1856, eventually holding the position of vice-chairman 1872–1889 and chairman 1889–1892. He was also a member of the Printing Committee and was made an Honorary Member of the Societas on 5 November 1904.
