David Douglas, a Scottish botanist and explorer, is renowned for his significant contributions to the field of botany, particularly in the Pacific Northwest of North America. Born on June 25, 1799, in Scone, Scotland, he is best known for the introduction of numerous plant species to Britain, including the Douglas fir, which is named in his honor.

David Douglas died under mysterious and tragic circumstances on July 12, 1834, in Hawaii. While on an expedition, he fell into a pit trap used to catch wild animals, and it is believed that he was either killed by the bull that was also in the pit or possibly by the trap’s makers. His death at the age of 35 marked the end of a brief but highly impactful career in botany and exploration.