Robert Johns papers

Collection includes one annotated copy of ‘Flora Malensia, Series II – Pteridophyta, Ferns, and Fern Allies, Volume 1, Part 5’ ; typescript notes relating to ferns, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Conifers, deforestation, Oleandra ; and one typescript copy of the ‘The Vegetation of Papua New Guinea’

Robert (also known as Bob) James Johns was born in New Zealand on 14 July 1944.

Johns studied at the University of Auckland, graduating with a Bachelors of Science in 1966 and later, a Master?s of Science in 1968. In 1968, he became a Research Assistant for the Department of Geography, Australian  National  University (ANU)Â, managing their Mt Wilhelm field station. In 1969, Johns joined the Lae Herbarium, Papua New Guinea?s National Herbarium. In 1971, Johns began lecturing botany, dendrology and forest ecology at the PNG Forestry College, Bulolo. In 1979, Johns became a Senior Lecturer at the PNG University of Technology, becoming Head of Department from 1987 until 1990, after which he moved to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as Curator of Ferns and Gymnosperms. He retired from Kew in 2004 but continued as a Research Fellow.

During his time as Research Fellow, he continued working and publishing on the ecology of the flora of Papua New Guinea.

Johns successfully applied for funding from the New Zealand government to build a library at the Papa New Guinea University of Technology?s Bulolo campus. He also succesfully applied for European Union funding to build the forest herbarium at the Papa New Guinea University of Technology?s Taraka campus. He was also an active participant of the Flora Malesiana Project, attending all the projects symposiums.

Robert James Johns died in Kingston-upon-Thames, London, UK, on 21 April 2019