Charles Albert Robbins

Charles Albert Robbins (February 9, 1874 – January 22, 1930) was an American amateur botanist and lichenologist, known for his extensive work on the genus Cladonia.

His work included:[2] Robbins conducted extensive field studies in the Wareham area, documenting approximately 46 species of Cladonia in the region.

[2] In 1972, Lawrence Mish recorded a list of the Cladonias of southeastern Massachusetts, making special reference to Robbin's collection; the publication cites 116 taxa and their distribution.

[5] Two of his personal daily diaries that he kept from the ages of 13 through 15 (1886–1888) are housed at the University of Michigan library,[6] Although his death prevented the completion of his planned treatment of Cladonia in New England, Robbins' work significantly advanced the understanding of this genus in North America.

According to Sidney Fay Blake, Robbins exemplified the important contributions that dedicated amateur botanists can make to scientific knowledge.