COOPER, Roland Edgar. Kingston-on-Thames, London 16.6.1890 — Southend-on-Sea, Essex 31.1.1962. British Botanist. Son of Harry Conrad Cooper, an auctioneer who after divorce (November 1890) moved to Australia and died there 1912, and Jessie Huntsman (d. 1893). Lost early his parents and from 1905 was raised by his aunt Emma Smith (b. 1878) and her husband, botanist William Wright Smith (1875–1958). In 1907-10 he followed his uncle to India, where they collected samples from the eastern Himalayas. A second tour in 1913-16, now alone, covered Sikkim, Bhutan and the Punjab, then served as officer in north-west India and Egypt until 1919. From 1921 until the late 1920s Superintendent of Botanic Gardens at Maymo in the Shan Hills of Burma. From 1930 Assistant Curator of Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh, 1934 Curator. Fellow of the Royal Society of Scotland 1942. Retired in 1950 and moved to Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex. Married 1919 Emily Bartusek (1893–1982), at least one son. His collection of Bhutanese religious implements, coins, etc. he donated to the National Museum of Scotland.
Publications: “‘Daktas’ – People with a Tail in the East Bhutanese Himalaya”, Man 33, 1933, 125-128; botanical publications.
Sources: stories.rbge.org with photo; Wikipedia. J.A. Harding on his son Billie Cooper in commons.erau.edu explains the family history in some derail.
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