COOPER, Roland Edgar. Kingston-on-Thames, London 16.6.1890 — Southend-on-Sea, Essex 31.1.1962. British Botanist. Lost his parents in the age of four and was raised by his aunt and her husband, botanist William Wright Smith. In 1907-10 he followed his uncle to India, where they collected samples from the eastern Himalayas. A second tour in 1913-16 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. Retired in 1950 and moved to Westcliff-on-Sea in Essex. Married Emily Bartysek, children. 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: Wikipedia.