John C. Wister -- (March 19, 1887 - December 27, 1982)

See also the Wister Medal named for John Wister.

"John Caspar Wister, Wister St. & Clarkson Ave. Germantown Philadelphia, PA.

Landscape Architect and author of many books and articles on Bulbs, Lilacs and Irises. President, American Iris Society 1920-1934. Secy. Pennsylvania Horticultural Society 1927 to date. Secy., American Rose Society 1921-1923. recipient of the Foster Memorial Plaque, of the Centenary Medal (1939) and of the Shaffer Memorial Medal (1927) of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, of the Centennial Gold Medal, Massachusetts Horticultural Society (1929), The Arthur Hoyt Scott Gold Medal 1930, Gold Medal of American Iris Society 1930 and the Gold Medal , Massachusetts Horticultural society 1938."--1939 AIS checklist see also 1st 15 years of AIS

under construction

See below:

• AIS Bulletin Rememberances
• Photo Gallery
• References

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Rememberances

In the July 1983 AIS Bulletin there were two rememberances, one by Philip Edinger and the other by his wife Gertrude S. Wister. Both are provided here with the first paragraph of each and a link to each of the complete rememberances.

First Rememberance, John C. Wister, First AIS President, 1887-1982 by Philip Edinger:

To most contemporary iris enthusiasts, John Wister is a name in small print on page 2 of each Bulletin: "Past Presidents: … Dr. John C. Wister." That his name should be there until this year for contemporary irisarians to notice is remarkable, considering that he was the first AIS president, serving fourteen years from the society's formation in 1920. But a long life was not the only noteworthy fact about John Wister, it is merely the last fact to be recorded. Had he departed this realm in the 1930s and 1940s, it is likely that the bulk of a Bulletin would have been devoted to a memorial tribute, so large did he figure in iris circles during the early years of iris development, both in this continent and in Europe. But the nature of his force and prominence is of the sort that most easily fades with the passage of time: he was an organizer, a socializer, a catalyst-and a charming personality. He left no irises of his making; instead he left a viable society.

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Second Rememberance, John Caspar Wister, 1887-1982 by Gertrude S. Wister:

John Wister, the first president of the American Iris Society and the moving spirit behind its founding, died quietly at his home in Swarthmore, Pennsylvania, on December 27,1982. He served as the Society's president for fifteen years, chiefly, he said, because he couldn't get anyone else to replace him.

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Photos

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References

Recognitions
Massachusetts Horticultural Society Centennial Gold Medal 1929, page 66: Secretary of the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, For his many years of distinguished service to horticulture, especially through his writings and lectures.
John C. Wister was the first recipient of the Scott Garden and Horticultural Award in 1930
American Iris Society Gold Medal, 1930
Massachusetts Horticultural Society Large Gold Medal, 1938, page 31, Secretary, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, Swarthmore, PA, For his writings and expertise on iris, peonies, and bulbs.
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Centenary Medal awarded to John C. Wister in 1939
American Horticultural Society AHS Liberty Hyde Award awarded to John Wister in 1958.
Massachusetts Horticultural Society George Robert White Medal of Honor, 1961, page 7: Director Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation, Swarthmore, PA, For his work as landscape architect, gardener, author and for his development of Swarthmore Campus.
American Rhododendron Society, Dr. John C. Wister honored, Nov. 9, 1961, by Betsi Kelius, includes remarks from guests and the plaque citation.
American Rhododendron Society Gold Medal awarded to Dr. John C. Wister in 1962
From the Journal American Rhododendron Society, JARS v37n2 - In Memoriam: John Caspar Wister
A history of John Casper Wister in Grokipedia
The New York Times John C. Wister, 95, Horticulturist, obituary by Joan Lee Faust, Dec. 29, 1982
Massachusetts Horticultural Society Gertrude (McMasters Smith) Wister Thomas Roland Medal, 1978, page 25, Arthur Hoyt Scott Horticultural Foundation, Swarthmore, PA, For her expertise in bulbous plants.
From the Journal American Rhododendron Society, Gertrude S. Wister receives Arthur H. Scott Garden and Horticulture Award from Swarthmore College in 1985
From the Journal American Rhododendron Society, JARS v53n4 - In Memoriam: Gertrude S. Wister
Celebrating National Women's History Month: A Reflection on Gertrude Wister and Her Accomplishments by Becky Robert, Mar 11, 2022
John Caspar Wister from Wikipedia
John Wister and His Rdododendrons by Franklin H. West, M.D., Gladwyne, Pennsylvania
The Wister Rhododendron Garden, by Olivia Kirkpatrick, March 30th, 2021
A feature on Benjamin Yeo Morrison on being awarded the The Royal Horticultural Society Peter Barr Memorial Cup by John C. Wister from the American Daffodil Society Library

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-- BobPries - 2012-05-18