Henry Groves

Henry Groves (15 October 1855 – 2 November 1912) was an English botanist who specialized in the algae belong to the group Charales.

Henry was born on 15 October 1855 at London. Along with his brother James they studied at Godalming Grammar School in Surrey. Here they were introduced to natural history studied by the Principal, Peter Churton. In 1869 their father died and with three children, his mother needed assistance and Henry went to London to work in the office of a stockbroker and family friend.[1]

In the early 1870s, a chance meeting with the family of John Edward Sowerby led to a deeper interest in English botany and the works of the late botanist. In 1874 the brothers Henry and James joined the South London Microscopical and Natural History Club where they met many botanists including T. B. Blow. They made a botanical excursion to Thames Ditton with Hewett Cottrell Watson and Blow apart from visit to the botanical section of the British Museum. From 1877, the two brothers took a keen interest in British Characeae. They also took an interest in molluscs. Henry left the stockbroker office after the death of the owner in 1879. In 1880 the two brothers published a review of the British Characeae. In 1884, Henry became Secretary of the South London Microscopical and Natural History Club until the club was dissolved in 1897. Henry was admitted Fellow of the Linnean Society in 1892 where his knowledge of financial matters helped the organization.[1]

In 1907, Henry became a Trustee at the South London Botanical Institute. In 1909 he visited France and in 1910 Belgium.[1]

Henry was married in 1896 and they had a daughter. He died after a long illness on 2 November 1912.[1]