Willard Nelson Clute

Willard N. Clute (1869–1950) was an American author, naturalist and botanist. He was born in Steuben County, New York, the son of George N. and Ruth Wright Clute. He married Ida Martin (born 1869), who illustrated some of his works.

Clute founded the American Fern Society. He was editor of ''The Fern Bulletin'', the original publication of the American Fern Society (originally called ''The Linnaean Fern Bulletin''), and of ''The American Botanist''.

He was associated with Butler University in Indianapolis, Indiana for many years. Starting in 1928, he was professor of botany and curator of the botanical gardens.

He collected ferns, lycopods, and nonvascular plants in North America, Jamaica and New Zealand. His specimens are housed in the Friesner Herbarium at Butler University. He was married to the botanical illustrator and artist Ida Martin Clute. Provided by Wikipedia