E. Lucy Braun was an early- and mid-twentieth century leader and pioneer in the field of plant ecology. A lifelong Cincinnati resident, Braun used a thorough training in geology and botany to ground a program of research in vascular plant floristics focusing on the deciduous forests of her region. Her most influential work, from 1950, was entitled Deciduous Forests of Eastern North America, and documented in characteristic detail both the current condition of the biome and the history of its development after the end of the Ice Age. Into such studies she incorporated interests in, among other things, the origin of forest-based prairie vegetation elements; refugium theory; conservation of natural habitats; longitudinal study approaches; and botanical taxonomy. Braun retired early from teaching at the University of Cincinnati, but only to more fully devote herself to her research and to various public service ventures.
Memories of E. Lucy Braun - by Lucile Durrell
University of Cincinnati Magazine