Hybridizer William Edwin Saunders (1861-1943)

London, Ontario, Canada

William (1861-1943), the older brother of A.Percy.Saunders, raised some iris seedlings and wrote articles about irises. (AIS Check LIst 1939 p.60) William E., Percy, and his brother Sir Charles Saunders of London, Ontario (1867- 1937) who created the Marquis variety of wheat, were sons of William Saunders (Sr) [3]. (CIS-N v22 n1 p20) (1836-1914) William E., an ornithologist at the University of Western Ontario, a charter member of the American Iris Society (AIS) in 1920, (CIS-N v22n3p71) became the Canadian AIS Regional Vice President (Region 6) between 1924-1927 and again (Region 16) for 1940-1943. He is given credit in 1925 for establishing criteria for the future system of AIS awards (CIS-N v22 n3 p78) He raised iris seedlings acquired after the death of James Wallace. (AIS Check List 1939 p.71) (Researched by Don McQuen)

Registrations/Introductions:

Species: 'Lacustris Alba',

Tall Bearded: 'David Arnott', 'Jim Wallace', 'Kathleen Fetherston'.

-- Main.RPries - 2012-05-18