The University of Manitoba campuses are located on original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Ojibwe-Cree, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the National Homeland of the Red River Métis. More
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| Orchis mascula, A.H.R. Buller, 1919 | Female Cone of Pinus, A.H.R. Buller, 1905, 1920 |
Arthur Henry Reginald Buller was born August 14, 1874 in Moseley, Birmingham, England. He was educated at Queen's College, Taunton, London (B.Sc. in 1896) and at the universities of Birmingham (D. Sc.), Leipzig (Ph. D), and Munich. He also served briefly on the staff of the University of Birmingham and the Naples Zoological Station.
In 1904, Buller was appointed the first professor of Botany and Geology at the University of Manitoba, one of the original six professors hired by the University. Buller served as Head of the Botany Department until his retirement in 1936, after which he became Professor Emeritus. A tireless worker, Buller won international recognition for his work on fungi and wheat rust. He published many articles as well as a seven volume mycological work entitled Researches on Fungi. He also actively campaigned to focus public attention upon the University's problems, including the inadequacy of its downtown campus. He was awarded an L.L.B. from the University of Manitoba in 1924 and was made a professor emeritus on his retirement in 1936. In 1963, the Science Building at the University of Manitoba was renamed the Buller Biological Laboratories.
The drawings included in this digital collection were discovered by faculty of the University of Manitoba Botany Department in Dr. Buller's original map cabinet. They consist of hand drawn, inked, and watercoloured botanical diagrams and charts. Several of the drawings were commercially produced although the majority of them were drawn, inked and painted by Dr. Buller himself. It is presumed that Dr. Buller used these drawings in his lectures. The original drawings date from 1905 to 1920 and are very large in size, often exceeding 3 or 4 feet in height. They are intricate in their design and beautiful to look at. One requires no knowledge in the field of botany to appreciate the artistry exhibited by Dr. Buller in the production of these lecture aids. Yet those with an interest in biological sciences will appreciate the drawings on an even greater level.
A.H. Reginald Buller fonds description
We gratefully acknowledge the financial assistance of the Ralph & Doreen Estey Family Endowment Fund Collection in the creation of this digital exhibit. Thanks to Ian Richards and Rob Ross for their work on this collection.