Ray, John (1627-1705), a British naturalist, was one of the first scientists to systematically study plants and animals. From 1662 to 1666, he traveled throughout western Europe with a pupil named Francis Willughby. Together they collected various specimens and attempted to classify them. At first, Ray classified plant life and Willughby classified animal life. But, after Willughby died, Ray continued Willughby’s work on animal life. Ray was born on Nov. 29, 1627, in Black Notley, in the county of Essex, England. He died on Jan. 17, 1705.
