Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
On this day, December 12, 1851, Joel Roberts Poinsett died.
Last edited Wed Dec 13, 2023, 12:08 PM - Edit history (4)
Spellcheck keeps changing his name to "Poinsettia."
Hat tip, {redacted}
Joel Roberts Poinsett
Personal details
Born: Joel Roberts Poinsett; March 2, 1779; Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Died; December 12, 1851 (aged 72); Stateburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party: Democratic
Education: University of Edinburgh; Royal Military Academy, Woolwich
Joel Roberts Poinsett (March 2, 1779 – December 12, 1851) was an American physician, diplomat and botanist.
{snip}
Political career
{snip}
First Minister to Mexico
The poinsettia, which takes its name from Poinsett.
{snip}
After visiting an area south of Mexico City near Taxco de Alarcón, Poinsett saw what later became known in the United States as the poinsettia. (In Mexico it is called Flor de Nochebuena, Christmas Eve flower, or Catarina). Poinsett, an avid amateur botanist, sent samples of the plant to the United States, and by 1836 the plant was widely known as the "poinsettia". Also a species of Mexican lizard, Sceloporus poinsettii, is named in Poinsett's honor.
{snip}
Personal details
Born: Joel Roberts Poinsett; March 2, 1779; Charleston, South Carolina, U.S.
Died; December 12, 1851 (aged 72); Stateburg, South Carolina, U.S.
Political party: Democratic
Education: University of Edinburgh; Royal Military Academy, Woolwich
Joel Roberts Poinsett (March 2, 1779 – December 12, 1851) was an American physician, diplomat and botanist.
{snip}
Political career
{snip}
First Minister to Mexico
The poinsettia, which takes its name from Poinsett.
{snip}
After visiting an area south of Mexico City near Taxco de Alarcón, Poinsett saw what later became known in the United States as the poinsettia. (In Mexico it is called Flor de Nochebuena, Christmas Eve flower, or Catarina). Poinsett, an avid amateur botanist, sent samples of the plant to the United States, and by 1836 the plant was widely known as the "poinsettia". Also a species of Mexican lizard, Sceloporus poinsettii, is named in Poinsett's honor.
{snip}