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Context

In 1851-1856, the author attended the University of Prague. During these years he participated in scientific research positions such as microscope and plant physiology assistant as well as natural science illustrator. Von Sachs did not enjoy the biology department, however he was very interested in zoology and botany. Von Sachs was especially influenced by his philosophy course and professor, Robert von Zimmerman.

In 1859, he was appointed assistant in plant physiology at the Agriculture College and Forest Academy in Tharandt where he started to write Handbuch der Experimentalphysiologie des Pflanzen. In 1861 became a professor at the Agricultural College of Poppelsdorf, later the University of Bonn. During this time he published research such as Handbuch der Experimentalphysiologie des Pflanzen in 1865 which discussed plant physiology. In 1867, Von Sachs became chair of botany at the University of Freiburg but moved to the University of Würzburg the following year. The book Handbook of Botany, published in 1868 was very influential in the botanical community, it summarizes the botanical knowledge of the time.

In 1875, History of Botany was written to promote the development of science by commenting on methods and theories of the time. The book makes a historical overview of botanical research, theories and discoveries, which was not believed to have been done before. Von Sachs believed it to be the first history of botany. The book makes a picture of the beginning of the scientific study of vegetation in the 16th century with the societal culture at the time until 1860, a decade before the start of this book.

Translation

After the publication of the book in German in 1875, an authorized translation to English was published by Henry E. F. Garnsey in 1890, revised by Scottish botanist Isaac Bayley Balfour, for what Von Sachs wrote the preface dedicated to the translator of his book. In this preface he talks about his changed opinions due to new research being published after 1875. He admits to have made some modifications to his book, but he declares not having made too many drastic modifications in order to respect the original meaning of the book in accordance with its historical context.