Talk:John Parkinson (botanist)/Archive 1

Why is it that this person is listed as dead march 2006 -> Deaths_in_2006

They clearly died in 1650!

never mind- different john parkinson

I have just created a disambiguation page, so I hope this problem has been solved. <KF> 23:18, 1 March 2006 (UTC)

Help needed to translate Latin book titles

Hi, is anyone able to help provide English translations for the following book titles in Latin that appear in "John Parkinson (botanist)"?

  • Paradisi in Sole, Paradisus Terrestris (1629) – this is currently translated as Park-in-Sun's Terrestrial Paradise, which seems a bit strange to me.
  • Theatrum Botanicum (1640) – this is currently rendered as The Botanical Theatre, but one source has Theatre of Plants instead. Which translation is better?

If necessary, please discuss the matter on the article's talk page. Thanks. — Cheers, JackLee talk 14:52, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

    • Paradisi in Sole, Paradisus Terrestris (1629): yes, the Latin title begins with a play on his name Parkinson, so Park-in-Sun's Terrestrial Paradise is a good rendering.
    • Theatrum Botanicum (1640): you takes your choice. The Botanical Theatre is absolutely literal but maybe means less to a casual English reader? Theatre of Plants gives a clearer idea of the contents. Both are good translations. Andrew Dalby 15:13, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks very much for that. I didn't notice the play on words in the first title at all! — Cheers, JackLee talk 16:13, 23 November 2007 (UTC)

Botanicus Regis Primarius

More help needed: Charles I conferred on Parkinson the title of Botanicus Regis Primarius. Would you translate this as "First Royal Botanist"? — Cheers, JackLee talk 02:09, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

Not first in line but first in rank. You might even say "The king's most eminent/distinguished botanist". My Anglican English is poor, if First Royal Botanist conveys the same thing, sure.--Ioscius (talk) 13:37, 24 November 2007 (UTC)

Thanks. I've changed the translation to "Royal Botanist of the First Rank", as based on your explanation this seems more accurate than "Most Eminent" or "Most Distinguished". Let's see if anyone comes up with a better translation. — Cheers, JackLee talk 14:25, 24 November 2007 (UTC)