John Philip Grime. 30 April 1935 — 19 April 2021

John Philip ‘Phil’ Grime developed fundamental theory in plant ecology that emerged from a lifetime of fieldwork and experimental studies the Sheffield region, South Yorkshire, UK. His approach was an unusual combination observation, experiment theory: he conducted detailed, intensive observations natural communities, alongside manipulation those communities simulated ‘microcosms’ service formulating general rules (‘strategies’) by which plants evolve with respect to their environment. In this way, one several key figures propelled away descriptive methods focusing on vegetation composition toward science more integrated other fields, including evolutionary biology Earth science. Grime's investigative inspiration for modern field global change biology, and, understanding contrasting roles species traits play functioning ecosystems, marked beginning functional ecology. For much his career held post full professor (and retirement, emeritus ecology) at University Sheffield, where also served as director Unit Comparative Plant Ecology Buxton Climate Change Impacts Laboratory. Awarded honorary doctorate Radboud (Nijmegen, The Netherlands) foreign membership Royal Netherlands Academy Arts Sciences, first person awarded Alexander von Humboldt Award International Association Vegetation Science.