José María Benítez

José María Benítez (1790–1855) was a Venezuelan physician and botanist known for his efforts to prevent and combat cholera, and for recognition of the medicinal properties of Cinchona trees to treat malaria.

Benitez later moved to Caracas and entered the Royal and Pontifical University of Santa Rosa de Lima, where he graduated as a bachelor in the arts on February 17, 1808 and as a teacher in the arts on March 18, 1810.

Between 1821 and 1824 he performed internships with the doctor Pedro Bárcenas in the hospitals in Caracas of San Pablo Hermitaño.

From 1827 he was a member of the Medical Faculty of Caracas and a corresponding partner in La Victoria.

His main work is about ethnobotany, the application of botany to cure diseases and in the area of industrial use of forest products, such as rubber.